In Spring 2020 I am teaching PHY 556: Solid State Physics II.
UPDATE: this class has been moved to an online format due to the novel coronavirus. Important announcements will be communicated via Blackboard: please make sure you have access to Blackboard. Classes will be conducted via Zoom at the usual time. The Zoom link is also accessible through Blackboard. A revised syllabus can be found here.
The class will meet Tues/Thurs from 10:00-11:20 in B-131 (note the room change!!).
Office hours will be Tues/Thurs 11:30-1:00 in my office B-103. You can also set up an appointment via email: firstname.lastname@stonybrook.edu.
Homework:
Final paper/presentation topics and guidelines
Course description: The course focuses on the many-particle aspects of solid state physics addressing classical topics such as superconductivity and the transport properties of disordered conductors, as well as more modern subjects including the fractional quantum Hall effect, dissipative quantum mechanics, and problems of mesoscopic physics. Both phenomenological and theoretical descriptions are discussed.
I plan to cover a subset of the following topics:
- Introduction to quantum fields
- Second quantization
- Green’s functions
- Fermi liquid theory
- Feynman diagrams
- Landau-Ginzburg theory
- Superconductivity and BCS
- Quantum Hall effect
The topics will be adjusted according to time and interest.
Grading will be based on problem sets, assigned roughly every two weeks, and a final presentation and paper at the end of the semester.
Office hours will be determined at the start of the semester.
There are many good books on theoretical condensed matter physics. The syllabus follows parts of Piers Coleman’s book: Introduction to Many-Body Physics. However I encourage you to follow a textbook of your choice.
LEARNING OUTCOMES
Students who complete this class should understand how field theories arise as effective theories in condensed matter physics. Students should have a working knowledge of Green’s functions. Students should be familiar with several modern research topics in condensed matter physics.
UNVERSITY POLICIES
Student Accessibility Support Center (SASC) Statement:
If you have a physical, psychological, medical or learning disability that may impact your course work, please contact Student Accessibility Support Center, ECC (Educational Communications Center) Building, Room 128, (631)632-6748. They will determine with you what accommodations, if any, are necessary and appropriate. All information and documentation is confidential.
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