The course provides theoretical tools for understanding the properties of aggregate quantum systems with a huge number of particles. In particular, the crystalline solid, characterized by the ion lattice and the electronic degrees of freedom, is described at a microscopic level, starting from the Schroedinger equation. The low temperature ordered phases, the response to external perturbations, and the transport and optical properties are investigated, with reference to more recent applications, such as high-Tc superconductivity, quantum Hall effect, nano and low dimensional physics, and atomic physics. An introduction to numerical techinques appropriate for their investigation is also provided.
This course develops a conceptual framework for emergent phenomena in quantum condensed matter, ranging from spontaneous symmetry breaking and collective order to topological phases, entanglement, and strongly correlated quantum matter. Starting with an overview of the single-particle description of crystalline solids, the course discusses band topology and introduces the many-body formalism of interacting quantum systems through Green’s functions, propagators, and Dyson equation, ultimately leading to the concept of quasiparticles. This framework is applied to electron–phonon and electron–electron interactions, with emphasis on emergent collective phenomena such as superconductivity and on the breakdown of the quasiparticle paradigm in strongly correlated matter. Additional topics include semiclassical and quantum transport, entanglement and low-dimensional systems, computational and quantum-simulation approaches to quantum lattice Hamiltonians. Weekly exercise sessions in groups accompany the lectures.
Knowledge of the microscopic mechanisms, models and tools for describing the behavior of interacting ions, electrons and excitations in solids. Ability to apply the knowledges to the theoretical and numerical study of reference systems in condensed matter physics, from solids to ultra cold atomic gases.
Knowledge of the microscopic mechanisms, models and tools for describing the behavior of interacting ions, electrons and excitations in solids.
Ability to apply the knowledge to the theoretical and numerical study of reference systems in condensed matter physics, from solids to ultra cold atomic gases.
Basic knowledges of quantum and statistical physics.
Basic knowledge of quantum and statistical mechanics, and of solid state physics.
1. From condensed matter to the crystalline solid. The fundamental Hamiltonian of a solid in first quantization; the Born Oppenheimer approximation. The crystalline solid; Bravais and reciprocal lattice.
2. Review of basic concepts of quantum statistical physics. Second quantization, density matrix, grand canonical ensamble, chemical potential. Free Fermi and Bose gases.
3. Single electron approximation. The Sommerfeld model; specific heat and effective mass. Bloch theorem; bands and Fermi surface; weak potential and tight binding approximations; graphene bands.
4. Lattice dynamics. The dynamical matrix; phonons; optical and acoustic modes; the Debye model and specific heat.
5. Electron-phonon interaction. The electron-phonon Froelich Hamiltonian; polarons; the Holstein model; second order processes and effective electronic Hamiltonian.
6. Transport properties: Drude conductivity, thermal conductivity and Wiedemann- Franz law. Classical and Quantum Hall effect.
7. Optical properties. Macroscopic formulation of electrodynamics in dispersive media: complex refraction index, absorption coefficient and dissipated power. Microscopic formulation: interaction of electrons with electromagnetic radiation;
8. Electron-electron interaction in momentum space. The Hartree-Fock approximation; direct and exchange interaction. The jellium model and ferromagneticm. Screening and Thomas Fermi semiclassical theory. Density Functional Theory.
9. Introduction to Fermi and Luttinger liquids.
10. Conventional superconductors. The Cooper instability. BCS microscopic theory. The gap equation.
11. Electron-electron interaction in Wannier basis. Ferromagnetism and the Heisenberg Hamiltonian. Mott insulator and the Hubbard model. Quantum phase transitions and mean field phase diagram.
12. Phenomenology and modelisation of high-Tc superconductors.
13. Numerical simulations: the Density Matrix Renormalization Group (DMRG) method
14. The concept of Nanostructures. K-dot-p theory, envelope function, quantum wells, wires and dots.
1. Overview: order and symmetries in quantum matter, the fundamental Hamiltonian of solids, and the Born–Oppenheimer approximation; the single-particle picture, from the Sommerfeld model to Bloch theorem and electronic band structure; lattice dynamics in the harmonic approximation
2. Tight-binding Hamiltonians: applications to graphene and to the Su–Schrieffer–Heeger model; introduction to topological phases
3. Quantization of lattice vibrations: from the Debye model to anharmonic effects
4. Interacting electrons and quasiparticles: Green’s functions, propagators, Dyson equation, and self-energy
5. Electron–phonon interactions: polarons, the Fröhlich Hamiltonian, Cooper pairing, and BCS superconductivity
6. Electron–electron interactions: Hartree–Fock theory, Thomas–Fermi screening, and Landau Fermi-liquid theory of the interacting electron gas
7. Transport in quantum matter: semiclassical Bloch transport, classical and quantum Hall physics, quantum wells, wires, and dots
8. Strongly correlated quantum matter: Heisenberg and Hubbard models, Mott insulators, high-T_c superconductors, and low-dimensional quantum systems
9. Entanglement and quantum-information concepts in quantum matter
10. Computational and quantum-simulation approaches to quantum lattice Hamiltonians
The course consists of frontal lectures accompanied by exercises and numerical simulations in assisted working subgroups.
The course consists of frontal lectures accompanied by exercise sessions and numerical projects in assisted working groups.
H. Bruus, and K. Flensberg, Introduction to many body quantum theory in condensed matter physics, 2002
C. Di Castro, R. Raimondi, Statistical mechanics and applications in condensed matter, Cambridge University Press, 2015
R.P. Feynman, Statistical mechanics: a set of lectures, Benjamin Cummings Publishing Company, 1972
N.W. Ashcroft, N.D. Mermin, Solid State Physics, Hartcourt Courtrige Pubiher, 1976
G. Grosso and G. Pastori Parravicini, Solid State Physics, Academic Press, 2000
P. Fazekas, Lecture Notes on Electron Correlation and Magnetism, World Scientific, 1999
U. Roessler, Solid state theory: an introduction, Physica Verlag, 2009
J. Solyom, Fundamentals of the physics of solids, vols 1,2,3, Springer, 2007-2010
A. Montorsi, Notes of the course, 2021
Lecture notes available for this course:
A. Montorsi and L.F. Tocchio, Notes of the course, 2026
General books about solid state physics:
N.W. Ashcroft, N.D. Mermin, Solid State Physics, Hartcourt Courtrige Pubiher, 1976
U. Roessler, Solid state theory: an introduction, Physica Verlag, 2009
J. Solyom, Fundamentals of the physics of solids, vols 1,2,3, Springer, 2007-2010
Further reading:
H. Bruus, and K. Flensberg, Introduction to many body quantum theory in condensed matter physics, 2002
C. Di Castro, R. Raimondi, Statistical mechanics and applications in condensed matter, Cambridge University Press, 2015
R.P. Feynman, Statistical mechanics: a set of lectures, Benjamin Cummings Publishing Company, 1972
Dispense; Video lezioni tratte da anni precedenti;
Lecture notes; Video lectures (previous years);
Modalita di esame: Prova scritta (in aula); Prova orale obbligatoria; Elaborato progettuale in gruppo;
Exam: Written test; Compulsory oral exam; Group project;
...
The final mark will be obtained from the three following compulsory steps:
-) Written exam (exercises and questions on the topics of the course): up to 20 points;
-) Oral exam (discussion of the written exam and presentation of a topic chosen by the student): up to 8 points;
-) Numerical project in groups: up to 4 points.
Gli studenti e le studentesse con disabilita o con Disturbi Specifici di Apprendimento (DSA), oltre alla segnalazione tramite procedura informatizzata, sono invitati a comunicare anche direttamente al/la docente titolare dell'insegnamento, con un preavviso non inferiore ad una settimana dall'avvio della sessione d'esame, gli strumenti compensativi concordati con l'Unita Special Needs, al fine di permettere al/la docente la declinazione piu idonea in riferimento alla specifica tipologia di esame.
Exam: Written test; Compulsory oral exam; Group project;
The final mark will be obtained from the three following compulsory steps, that will verify the expected learning outcomes:
-) Written exam with exercises and questions on the topics of the course. No material (books, notes,...) can be used during the written exam, while the calculator is not needed. Examples of previous written exams will be available. The written exam will be evaluated up to 18 points.
-) Oral exam with a discussion of the written exam and the presentation of a topic chosen by the student, within the course program. The oral exam will be evaluated up to 8 points.
-) Numerical project, to be prepared in groups as a homework. The numerical project will consist in the application of the presented numerical methods to the study of some models and it will be evaluated up to 4 points.
In addition to the message sent by the online system, students with disabilities or Specific Learning Disorders (SLD) are invited to directly inform the professor in charge of the course about the special arrangements for the exam that have been agreed with the Special Needs Unit. The professor has to be informed at least one week before the beginning of the examination session in order to provide students with the most suitable arrangements for each specific type of exam.