Foundations of quantum theory: Relativistic approach

By Prof. Kinjalk Lochan | IISER Mohali

Learners enrolled: 416 | Exam registration: 3

ABOUT THE COURSE:

Quantum theory (QT) is empirically a very successful theory; there is however an apparent lack of understanding of the theory. This is mostly due to the fact that, unlike the space-time structure, the cut between the ontology and epistemology in QT is difficult to resolve. The two fundamental concepts–the non-local correlations (entanglement) between space-like separated systems and the indistinguishability (non-orthogonality) of quantum states–is widely believed to separate QT from classical theories. Further, relativity, another successful theory of modern age, brings in its own set of non trivial subtleties when quantum theory is tried to be stitched with it. In this course, we will discuss concepts of quantum entanglement, superposition and quantum information within the framework of relativistic physics.

INTENDED AUDIENCE: Msc 1 st and 2 nd year, PhD students

PREREQUISITES: BSc in Physics and a good grasp of quantum physics

Summary

Course Status :	Upcoming
Course Type :	Elective
Language for course content :	English
Duration :	12 weeks
Category :	Physics
Credit Points :	3
Level :	Undergraduate
Start Date :	20 Jan 2025
End Date :	11 Apr 2025
Enrollment Ends :	27 Jan 2025
Exam Registration Ends :	14 Feb 2025
Exam Date :	04 May 2025 IST

Note: This exam date is subject to change based on seat availability. You can check final exam date on your hall ticket.

Page Visits

Course layout

Week 1:

Review of Perturbation from time independent classical fields

Week 2:

Review of Perturbations from time dependent classical fields

Week 3:

Review of Special Relativity

Week 4:

Quantization of Relativistic particles : KG equation
Quantization of Relativistic particles : Dirac equation

Week 5:

Quantum theory of fields: Scalar field quantization
Quantum correlation, propagators and vacuum fluctuations

Week 6:

Quantum theory of fields: Dirac field quantization

Week 7:

Quantum theory of Light : coherent and thermal states

Week 8:

Atom-Field interaction, Unruh deWitt detector

Week 9:

Monopole, Dipole coupling

Week 10:

Spontaneous emissions
Stimulated emissions

Week 11:

Relativistic shifts in transitions lines

Week 12:

Relativistic Lindblad theorem
Entanglement through atom field interaction

Books and references

● J.J. Sakurai : Advanced Quantum Mechanics; Pearson

● UIf Leonhardt : Essential Quantum Optics; Cambridge

● Marco Lanzagorta : Quantum Information in Gravitational Fields; IOP ebooks

● E. Martin-Martinez : Relativistic Quantum Information : Developments in quantum information in relativistic scenarios; arXiv 1106.0280

Instructor bio

Prof. Kinjalk Lochan

IISER Mohali

Dr. Kinjalk Lochan is an Associate Professor in the Department of Physical Sciences, IISER Mohali since 2018. He got his Ph.D. in Physics from the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR) , Mumbai (INDIA) in 2014. He was a Post Doctoral Research Fellow at IUCAA Pune (2013-16), IISER Trivandrum (2016) before joining IISER Mohali as DST INSPIRE Faculty (2016-18). His research area primarily are Quantum Gravity, Black Holes and Early Universe, QFT on curved Spacetime and Foundations of Quantum Physics.

Course certificate

The course is free to enroll and learn from. But if you want a certificate, you have to register and write the proctored exam conducted by us in person at any of the designated exam centres.

The exam is optional for a fee of Rs 1000/- (Rupees one thousand only).

Date and Time of Exams:May 4, 2025 Morning session 9am to 12 noon; Afternoon Session 2pm to 5pm.

Registration url: Announcements will be made when the registration form is open for registrations.

The online registration form has to be filled and the certification exam fee needs to be paid. More details will be made available when the exam registration form is published. If there are any changes, it will be mentioned then.

Please check the form for more details on the cities where the exams will be held, the conditions you agree to when you fill the form etc.

CRITERIA TO GET A CERTIFICATE

Average assignment score = 25% of average of best 8 assignments out of the total 12 assignments given in the course.

Exam score = 75% of the proctored certification exam score out of 100

Final score = Average assignment score + Exam score

Please note that assignments encompass all types (including quizzes, programming tasks, and essay submissions) available in the specific week.

YOU WILL BE ELIGIBLE FOR A CERTIFICATE ONLY IF AVERAGE ASSIGNMENT SCORE >=10/25 AND EXAM SCORE >= 30/75. If one of the 2 criteria is not met, you will not get the certificate even if the Final score >= 40/100.

Certificate will have your name, photograph and the score in the final exam with the breakup.It will have the logos of NPTEL and IISER Mohali .It will be e-verifiable at nptel.ac.in/noc.

Only the e-certificate will be made available. Hard copies will not be dispatched.

Once again, thanks for your interest in our online courses and certification. Happy learning.

- NPTEL team