AU kursuskatalog arkiv

Statistisk fysik II (Q2) ( efterår 2011 - 5 ECTS )

Rammer for udbud

• Uddannelsessprog: engelsk
• Niveau: Graduate course
• Semester/kvarter: 2nd quarter
• Timer per uge: 6
• Deltagerbegrænsning: None
• Undervisningssted: Århus
• Hovedområde: Det Naturvidenskabelige Fakultet
• Udbud ID: 31375

Formål

Statistical Physics II is a senior graduate/graduate course requiring the introductory course in statistical physics. The  aim of the course is to give the student an
introduction and an understanding of essential methods and points of view which together with a knowledge of the phenomena leads to an understanding  of statistical physics. In the course of her/his studies the student will encounter examples in fundamental research where statistical physics plays an essential role. By working with theoretical models the student will learn how to
construct and use physical models as a mean for the qualitative and quantitative explanation and understanding of various phenomena and processes. The student will work with texts and reflect on the content and argumentation with the purpose of putting statistical physics into perspective.

Indhold

Review of equilibrium thermodynamics: first law and equilibrium, second law,  thermal equilibrium and temperature, phase transitions.

Review of the principles of statistical mechanics:  microcanonical ensemble, canonical ensemble, grand canonical ensemble. Maximum entropy principle.

Phase transitions: Ising model, lattice gas, broken symmetry and range of correlations,  Ising model in one dimension, mean field theory, Landau theory of phase transitions, critical exponents, scaling, renormalization group theory, Ising model in two dimensions.

Statistical mechanics of non-equilibrium systems: systems close to equilibrium, Onsager's regression hypothesis and time correlation functions, fluctuation-dissipation theorem, response function, Brownian motion, Langevin Equation, Fokker-Planck equation, master equation and detailed balance, systems far from equilibrium, the concepts of work and heat revisited, the fluctuation theorems, currents in non-equilibrium diffusive systems.

Numerical tools for statistical physics: the Monte Carlo algorithm.

Læringsmål

After completion of the course the students are expected to be able to:  

• define and discuss the basic concepts and physics of statistical mechanics
• apply statistical physics to predict the mechanical and dynamical properties and  to explain phase behavior of physical systems.
• use simple physical models to illustrate the fundamental ideas of thermodynamics and statistical mechanics.
• reflect on the universal behaviour of different systems in the field of statistical physics
• communicate a topic in statistical physics and put the scientific issues into perspective.
• analyze and reason about scientific literature in the field

Faglige forudsætninger

Underviser

Alberto Imparato

Undervisnings- og arbejdsform

6 hours per week divided in lectures, exercises, group work.

English

Litteratur

Equilibrium Statistical Physics (3rd Edition)

Authors: Michael Plischke, Birger Bergersen

ISBN: 9789812561558

Kursushjemmeside

http://www.aula.au.dk/

Eksamensterminer

Exam: 2nd quarter

Re-exam: Arranged with lectu

Udbyder

Department of Physics and Astronomy

Tilmelding til undervisning

At the self-service https://mit.au.dk/

Bedømmelse

There will be an oral examination with the presence of an internal examiner. There is no preparation. The examination time will be circa 30 minutes. The student draws a question and gives a 10-15 minutes presentation. After that the examination has the form of a discussion.