Office: 552 Reiss
Office Hours: T Th 1:30-2:00, or by appointment.
I am in most times except Mondays 3-4:30 and Wednesdays.
Email: freericks@physics.georgetown.edu
Telephone: (202) 687-6159
This course will teach many body physics from a modern perspective. We will begin with a discussion of equilibrium Green's functions for noninteracting models, followed by interacting models, using concrete examples from the dynamical mean-field theory solution to the Falicov-Kimball model. We will cover charge and heat transport, and ordered phase transitions. Next we will describe the theory of superconductivity, leading up to the strong-coupling theory for the transition temperature and for the tunneling conductance. We end with a discussion of path integrals and functional methods, leading up to a description of the Hirsch-Fye algorithm for quantum Monte Carlo. Our learning goals are for you to become proficient in using many-body physics techniques to the point where you can immediately engage in work at the research level upon completing the class.
