Study Programmes 2015-2016
PHYS0046-2  
Quantum physics and applications to Condensed Matter
Duration :
30h Th, 30h Pr
Number of credits :
Master in physical engineering (120 ECTS)5
Specialised master in nanotechnology5
Lecturer :
Philippe Ghosez, Matthieu Verstraete
Coordinator :
Matthieu Verstraete
Language(s) of instruction :
French language
Organisation and examination :
Teaching in the first semester, review in January
Units courses prerequisite and corequisite :
Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program
Course contents :
Theory and methods for the calculation of the electronic structure of materials (crystals, nanostructures, molecules...). The course will cover the most common methods for the theoretical chemistry and physics of materials: * Hartree Fock (HF) * Density Functional Theory (DFT) * DFT with an external perturbation (DFPT) * N-body perturbation theory (MBPT), in particular GW
Learning outcomes of the course :
  • advanced quantum physics
  • applications of quantum physics to condensed matter: the outcome is to be able to identify and apply the correct theory needed for a given problem in condensed matter physics.
  • support to the master's thesis
Prerequisite knowledge and skills :
Elementary quantum physics
Advanced mathematiics
Planned learning activities and teaching methods :
Problem sets and computer-based exercises.
Mode of delivery (face-to-face ; distance-learning) :
Theory, practical exercices and computer simulation.
Recommended or required readings :
R.M. Martin, Electronic Structure: Basic Theory and Practical Methods, Cambridge University Press (2004)
J.J. Sakurai, Modern Quantum Mechanics, Revised Ed., Addison-Wesley (1994)
Assessment methods and criteria :
Oral exam cast as either:
  • conference style seminar on the numerical simulations which have been carried out
  • standard oral exam on the theory covered in class
Report on the simulation work carried out by the student
Work placement(s) :
Organizational remarks :
Contacts :
Philippe Ghosez, Institut of physique, B5, office 3/11, tel : 04/366.36.11, e-mail : philippe.ghosez@ulg.ac.be
Matthieu Verstraete, Institut of physique, B5, office 3/7, tel : 04/366.90.17, e-mail : Matthieu.Verstraete@ulg.ac.be