Duration
10h Th, 5h Pr
Number of credits
| Master in space sciences (120 ECTS) | 2 crédits |
Lecturer
Language(s) of instruction
English language
Organisation and examination
Teaching in the second semester
Schedule
Units courses prerequisite and corequisite
Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program
Learning unit contents
Study of field theory in curved spacetime.
Contents
1. Particle creation in an expanding universe
2. The Unruh effect
3. Discussion R1
4. The Hawking temperature
5. The thermodynamics of black holes
6. Discussion R2
7. Gravitational waves and (lack of) particle creation
8 and 9. Inflation
10. Discussion R3
Learning outcomes of the learning unit
These lectures will discuss the possible relationships between some key observables in astrophysics and the present status of particle physics, mainly concerning dark matter, inflation and black holes.
At the end of the course, students will be able:
1) to understand the modern concept of particle, and its dependence on the frame of reference;
2) to calculate particle creation effects associates with gravity;
3) to calculate the entropy of a black hole.
Prerequisite knowledge and skills
SPAT0060-1 or an equivalent course.
Planned learning activities and teaching methods
This course is based on lectures, and to discussion sessions where problems (see the course webpages for the list) are discussed, as shown in the table of contents. The problems will be solved by the students, under the guidance of the instructor. Preparing them is strongly advised.
Mode of delivery (face-to-face ; distance-learning)
The references for each lecture, notes and the list of problems are available on the course web pages.
Recommended or required readings
Viatcheslav Mukhanov and Sergei Winitzki, "Introduction to Quantum Effects in Gravity", Cambridge University Press, 2007.
Assessment methods and criteria
Written exam, followed by a discussion. The first question is on the theory, and the list of possible questions is available on the course web pages (it is subject to change during the year). The second question (given after the theory question is returned) is an open-book exercise. The written part lasts 2 hours.
Work placement(s)
Organizational remarks
The course will be organised in 10 one-and-a-half-hour lectures/discussion sessions (see contents).
Contacts
Jean-René Cudell
Institute of physics
19A Allée du 6 août
Bldg B5a (4th floor, room 4/44)
Université de Liège
Tél. : 04/3663654
E-mail: jr.cudell@uliege.be
Web pages: http://www.theo.phys.ulg.ac.be
Adaptation of teaching commitments following the COVID-19 pandemic for the May-June 2020 session
Teaching methods implemented : distance-learning
The lectures took place on the lifesize room 836356 and be based on the transparencies available on the web pages of the course.
Assessment subjects
The material tought in the lectures and in the discussion sections.
Assessment methods
One problem will be sent at 9 a.m. on the day of the exam and the answers are expected by 11 a.m. This will be followed by a discussion starting at 13:00 on Lifesize, room to be confirmed.
Contacts
Remote contacts as above.
Adaptation of teaching commitments following the COVID-19 pandemic for the Aug-Sept 2020 session
Assessment subjects
No exam will be organised in August/September.