![[graeco-latin theorists]](group_image.png)
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Basic Training in Condensed Matter Theory
Spring 2008
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Instructors: Piet Brouwer, Veit Elser, Chris Henley, Erich Mueller
The discipline formerly known as "solid state physics", and more recently as "condensed matter
physics", has become too diverse in recent years for the standard one-theme-per-semester format
to provide adequate training. This "basic training" course is a response to this development and
proposes to at least introduce a broader range of topics by combining multiple themes in one
semester. Spring 2008 features four themes and four instructors:
The greater balance in subject matter that this format provides is rendered somewhat abstractly in
the graeco-latin array of theorists above. Elser, for example, appears once in each of four colors,
once in each of four rows, and once in each of four columns. If you are partial to the color blue,
then you will be pleased to see that blue appears once in each of four rows, once in each of four
columns, and is applied once to each of four theorists. General purpose techniques for discovering
solutions to highly constrained problems, such as the array above, will be the focus of the first
quarter of the course.
Announcements
- Because of the events scheduled for the visit of prospective physics graduate students,
the Basic Training lecture for Friday 3/28 will be earlier and at another location: RF 115, 1:30-3:00 pm.
- Quantum antiferromagnets with Professor Henley begins on the Wednesday after Spring Break.
- Quantum optics begins this Friday (2/15). Don't forget to ponder the teaser question!
- Wednesday's lecture (2/13) is cancelled because of the conflict with the memorial service
for Doug Fitchen. In its place some notes will be posted on what would have been the final lecture for
constraint problems.
The second homework assignment will be collected Friday (2/15) in lecture.
- A helpful formula was added to the teaser for 2/8.
- The second constraints assignment is available (2/2).
- Hint for the teaser: consider a 3 × 3 grid of 3 × 3 grids.
- first lecture: Wednesday, January 23, 2:30-4:00, RF 230.
Documents
Graders
- Duane Loh (constraint problems) email
- Stefan Baur (quantum optics) email
- Joern Kupferschmidt (Luttinger liquids) email
- Sumiran Pujari (quantum antiferromagnets) email