APN 569 Phase Transitions in Condensed Matter

The course covers key concepts in the theory of phase transitions. Topics include review of thermodynamics emphasizing topics relevant to phase transitions, classification of phase transitions, order parameters, symmetry and spontaneous symmetry breaking, critical exponents, Universality, Landau's argument, Review of Statistical Mechanics, Ising, X-Y, and Heisenberg Models, Peierls argument, High and Low Temperature Expansions, Duality, Mean field theory, Gaussian Model, Ginzburg Criterion, Upper and Lower Critical Dimensions, Goldstone modes, Mermin-Wagner Theorem, topological defects, topological phase transitions, (hydro)dynamic modes, ordering kinetics, model A & B, phase transitions in random media, Frustration, Elitzur's theorem. The course is suitable for first-year graduate students and advanced undergraduates. Pre-requisites: permission of instructor.

Cross Listed Courses

APN 569 & PHYS 569