PHYS 7240 Advanced Statistical Mechanics

Fall 2005

Syllabus

This class covers topics in statistical mechanics of interacting systems. They include

• Transfer matrix techniques
• Equivalence between statistical mechanics and quantum mechanics
• Exact solution to the 2D Ising model
• Renormalization group idea and its applications to the critical phenomena
• e-expansion and perturbative renormalization group
• Kosterlitz-Thouless transition

Time permitting:

· 2 dimensional critical phenomena and elements of conformal field theory

· Theory of Luttinger liquid. Applications to quantum Hall effect.

The will be 7 problem sets, one every two weeks, due on Mondays. On Wednesdays one week and two days after the problem set is due, there will be a problem session held on the 11^th floor of Gamow tower, at 5pm.

There will be a final exam on the last day of classes. The overall grade will be determined by the final exam only.