FYS9180 – Condensed Matter Field Theory

After completing the course, the students:

• will know the basic structure of a field theory and how it can be applied to condensed matter systems.
• will know the path integral formulation of quantum mechanics and the application of this to field theories.
• will know about quantum phase transitions and symmetry breaking.
• will know how the theory can be used to calculate response functions, and how these relate to different experimental probes.
• will know the concept of the renormalisation group and flow of coupling constants, including the understanding of relevant and irrelevant operators, and how this is applied to the study of universality in magnetic systems and the superconducting instability in fermionic systems.
• will know about the existence of topological terms and the consequences, in particular how this relates to the quantum Hall effect.

PhD candidates from the University of Oslo should apply for classes and register for examinations through Studentweb.

If a course has limited intake capacity, priority will be given to PhD candidates who follow an individual education plan where this particular course is included. Some national researchers’ schools may have specific rules for ranking applicants for courses with limited intake capacity.

PhD candidates who have been admitted to another higher education institution must apply for a position as a visiting student within a given deadline.

• FYS4430 – Condensed Matter Physics II
• FYS4110 – Advanced Quantum Mechanics or similar courses

• Final oral exam which counts 100 % towards the final grade.

It will also be counted as one of the three attempts to sit the exam for this course if you sit the exam for the following course: FYS5180 – Condensed Matter Field Theory

Students who can document a valid reason for absence from the regular examination are offered a postponed examination at the beginning of the next semester.

Re-scheduled examinations are not offered to students who withdraw during, or did not pass, the original examination.