Condensed Matter Physics II

PHYS 503, Spring 2012

 

Instructor:      Prof. Ian Affleck [Henn 406, iaffleck(at)phas(dot)ubc(dot)ca]

Office Hours: Wednesdays, 4-5
Teaching Assistant:      Hamed Karimi [Henn 414, hamed(at)phas(dot)ubc(dot)ca]

Office Hours: Wednesdays, 11:00-12:00
Useful books (placed on reserve in the library):

 

Useful article available on-line:

Grades

·  biweekly assignments 30%

·  midterm exam (in-class, closed book) 30%, Thursday, Feb. 16, 10:30-12:30 AM. (Note earlier start time.)

·  In-class oral presentations (on an assigned research paper or book) 40%.


 


Assignments :

Problem set 1

Problem set 1 (Solution)

Problem set 2

Problem set 2 (Solution)

Problem set 3

Problem set 3 (Solution)

Problem set 4

Problem set 4 (Solution)

Problem set 5

Problem set 5 (Solution)

Problem set 6

Problem set 6 (Solution)

Working out the assignments is one of the most important aspect of this course, absolutely essential for understanding the material. In order to receive credit assignment must be handed in by the beginning of the lecture on the due date. If you foresee a serious conflict that might prevent you from completing the problems by the due date please let me know ahead of time. I will consider extending the due date if the conflict affects several students in the class.  Out of fairness to other students who complete the assignment on time, last minute requests for extensions will not be granted.




Learning Goals:

·  to be able to solve problems in advanced condensed matter physics

·  to be able to apply techniques of condensed matter theory (Green's functions, Feynman diagrams, path integrals, renormalization group, ...) in various situations

·  to be able to read and understand condensed matter research papers and books and explain them to your colleagues




Informal course evaluation

Midterm exam solutions


Lecture Notes :

pages 1-20

pages 21-40

pages 41-60

pages 61-80

pages 81-100

pages 101-120

pages 121-140

pages 141-152

pages 153-176

pages 177-206

pages 207-222

pages 223-230 + figures

pages 231-254