Search result: Catalogue data in Spring Semester 2012

Physics Master Information
Core Courses
Core Courses: Theoretical Physics
NumberTitleTypeECTSHoursLecturers
402-0871-00LSolid State TheoryW10 credits4V + 1UM. Sigrist
AbstractThe course is addressed to students in experimental and theoretical condensed matter physics and provides a theoretical introduction to a variety of important concepts used in this field.
ObjectiveThe course provides a theoretical frame for the understanding of basic pinciples in solid state physics. Such a frame includes the topics of symmetries, band structures, many body interactions, Landau Fermi-liquid theory, and specific topics such as transport, superconductivity, or magnetism. The exercises illustrate the various themes in the lecture and help to develop problem-solving skills. The student understands basic concepts in solid state physics and is able to solve simple problems. No diagrammatic tools will be developed.
ContentThe course is addressed to students in experimental and theoretical condensed matter physics and provides a theoretical introduction to a variety of important concepts used in this field. A selection is made from topics such as: Symmetries and their handling via group theoretical concepts, electronic structure in crystals, insulators-semiconductors-metals, phonons, interaction effects, (un-)screened Fermi-liquids, linear response theory, collective modes, screening, transport in semiconductors and metals, magnetism, Mott-insulators, quantum-Hall effect, superconductivity.
Lecture notesin german
402-0844-00LQuantum Field Theory IIW10 credits3V + 2UT. K. Gehrmann
AbstractThe subject of the course is modern applications of quantum field theory with emphasis on the quantization of non-abelian gauge theories.
Objective
ContentThe following topics will be covered:
- path integral quantization
- non-abelian gauge theories and their quantization
- systematics of renormalization, including BRST symmetries,
Slavnov-Taylor Identities and the Callan Symanzik equation
- gauge theories with spontaneous symmetry breaking and
their quantization
- renormalization of spontaneously broken gauge theories and
quantum effective actions
LiteratureM.E. Peskin and D.V. Schroeder,
An introduction to Quantum Field Theory, Perseus (1995).
L.H. Ryder,
Quantum Field Theory, CUP (1996).
S. Weinberg,
The Quantum Theory of Fields (Volume 2), CUP (1996).
M. Srednicki,
Quantum Field Theory, CUP (2006).
402-0394-00LTheoretical Astrophysics and CosmologyW10 credits3V + 2UU. Seljak
AbstractThis is the second of a two course series which started with "General Relativity" and continues in the spring with "Theoretical Astrophysics and Cosmology", where the focus will be on applying general relativity to cosmology.
Objective
ContentHere is the rough plan of the topics we plan to cover. The actual pace may vary relative to this plan.

Week 1: overview of homogeneous cosmology I: spacetime geometry, redshift, Hubble law, distances
Week 2: overview of homogeneous cosmology I: dynamics of expansion, accelerated expansion, horizons
Week 3: thermal history of the universe and recombination
Week 4: cosmic microwave background anisotropies I: first look
Week 5: creation of matter: baryogenesis
Week 6: creation of nuclei: nucleosynthesis
Week 7: cold dark matter
Week 8: inflation: homogeneous limit
Week 9: relativistic perturbation theory I
Week 10: relativistic perturbation theory II
Week 11: cosmic microwave background anisotropies II: scalar and tensor modes
Week 12: cosmic microwave background anisotropies III: polarization
Week 13: structure formation
Week 14: gravitational lensing
Week 15: inflation and initial perturbations in the universe
LiteratureSuggested textbooks:
primary textbook: S. Weinberg, Cosmology
secondary textbooks: R. Durrer, The cosmic microwave background
V. Mukhanov: Physical Foundations of Cosmology
E. W. Kolb and M. S. Turner: The Early Universe
S. Carroll: An introduction to General Relativity Spacetime and Geometry
N. Straumann: General relativity with applications to astrophysics
S. Dodelson: Modern Cosmology
A. Liddle and D. Lyth: Cosmological Inflation and Large Scale Structure
Prerequisites / Noticeweb site: Link
Core Courses: Experimental Physics
NumberTitleTypeECTSHoursLecturers
402-0702-00LPhenomenology of Particle Physics IIW6 credits2V + 1UM. Dittmar, M. Grazzini
AbstractIn PPP II the standard model of particle physics will be developed from the point of view of gauge invariance. The example of QED will introduce the essential concepts. Then we will treat both strong and electroweak interactions. Important examples like deep inelastic lepton-hadron scattering, e+e- -> fermion antifermion, and weak particle decays will be calculated in detail.
Objective
402-0264-00LAstrophysics IIW10 credits3V + 2US. Lilly
AbstractThe course examines various topics in astrophysics with an emphasis on physical processes occurring in an expanding Universe, from a time about 1 microsecond after the Big Bang, to the formation of galaxies and supermassive black holes within the next billion years.
ObjectiveThe course examines various topics in astrophysics with an emphasis on physical processes occurring in an expanding Universe. These include the Robertson-Walker metric, the Friedmann models, the thermal history of the Universe after 1 micro-sec including Big Bang Nucleosynthesis, and introduction to Inflation, and the growth of structure through gravitational instability. The observational determination of cosmological parameters is studied in some detail, including the imprinting of temperature fluctuations on the microwave background. Finally, the key physics of the formation of galaxies and the development of black-hole is reviewed, including the way in which the first structures re-ionize the Universe.
Prerequisites / NoticeThis course covers the former Wahlfach course "Cosmology and Large-Scale Structure of the Universe" (402-0377-00L). Therefore it is not allowed to take credits for both courses.

Prior completion of Astrophysics I is recommended but not required.
» Core Courses (Physics Bachelor) [eligible for Master if not already used for Bachelor]
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