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Tapestry of Field theory: Classical & Quantum, Equilibrium & Nonequilibrium Perspectives

By Prof. Mahendra Verma   |   IIT Kanpur
Learners enrolled: 152   |  Exam registration: 1
ABOUT THE COURSE:
Quantum field theory and statistical field theory have been employed to explain many difficult natural phenomena successfully, and they are must-learn tools for particle, condensed matter, and statistical physicists. These tools have also been useful for modelling nonequilibrium systems, such as KPZ equation, time-dependent Ginzburg-Landau equation, and turbulence. In this course, we will cover various facets of field theory in a single canvas so as to compare and contrast important paradigms. This course will focus on breadth of field theory. I believe that such perspectives will enrich the perspectives of students.

INTENDED AUDIENCE: Masters and PhD students, as well as advanced UG students of Physics

PREREQUISITES: Quantum Mech, Mathematical Methods, Statistical Physics. Good background in mathematics required.
Summary
Course Status : Upcoming
Course Type : Elective
Language for course content : English
Duration : 12 weeks
Category :
  • Physics
Credit Points : 3
Level : Postgraduate
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.


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Course layout

Week 1: 
Module 1 : Green’s function
Module 2 : Lagrangian & Hamiltonian for fields
Module 3 : Functional integrals
Module 4 : Generic integrals

Week 2: 
Module 1 : QFT1: Second quantization
Module 2 : Symmetries
Module 3 : Noether’s theorem

Week 3: 
Module 1 : Complex scalar field
Module 2 : Propagators and perturbation theory
Module 3 : Feynman diagrams

Week 4: 
Module 1 : Statistical field theory: Intro to statmech
Module 2 : Path integrals and partition function
Module 3 : Landau’s theory of phase transition

Week 5: Module 1 : Mean field theory
Module 2 : Wilson theory of phase transition; Fluctuations
Module 3 : Renormalization groups

Week 6: 
Module 1 : Renormalization groups
Module 2 : Equilibrium vs. nonequilibrium
Module 3 : Energy transfers

Week 7: 
Module 1 : QFT2: Intro to gauge theory
Module 2 : Intro to QED
Module 3 : Mass and charge renormalization

Week 8: 
Module 1 : Higgs mechanism
Module 2 : Higgs mechanism
Module 3 : Asymptotic freedom

Week 9: 
Module 1 : Classical field theory
Module 2 : Nonequilibrium behaviour
Module 3 : Dynamical critical phenomena

Week 10: 
Module 1 : KPZ equation
Module 2 : Time-dependent Ginzburg-Landau eqn.
Module 3 : Field theory of hydrodynamic Turbulence

Week 11: 
Module 1 : Field theory of hydrodynamic Turbulence
Module 2 : Field theory of Euler Turbulence
Module 3 : Scalar turbulence

Week 12: 
Module 1 : Magnetohydrodynamic turbulence
Module 2 : Comparation between QFT, SFT and classical field theory
Module 3 : Summary

Books and references

1. T. Lancaster and S. J. Blundell, Quantum Field Theory for the Gifted Amateur, Oxford U. Press
2. M. V. Peskin and D. E. Schroeder, An Introduction To Quantum Field Theory, CRC Press
3. M. K. Verma, Energy Transfers in Fluid Flows, Cambridge University Press (2019).
4. W. D. McComb, Homogeneous, Isotropic Turbulence: Phenomenology, Renormalization and Statistical Closures, Oxford Univ. Press (2014).
5. Articles, such as Hohenberg and Halperin, Theory of dynamical critical phenomena (RMP, 1977); M. K. Verma, Statistical theory of MHD turbulence (Phys Rep., 2004).

Instructor bio

Prof. Mahendra Verma

IIT Kanpur
Prof.Mahendra Verma is a Professor in the department of physics, IIT Kanpur. He is a leading researcher in computational and theoretical turbulence and parallel computing. He and his group have developed a pseudo-spectral code TARANG, which is used to simulate flows like hydrodynamics, Rayleigh-Bennard Convection, Magnetohydrodynamics etc.  His group has written more codes, e.g., SARAS, MD Simulator, QuantTARANG, FastSF, etc.  He has written several books.

Prof. Verma is a recipient of Swarnajayanti fellowship, Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Cray HPC Award, INSA Teacher award, and J.C. Bose fellowship. He is a fellow of INSA, IASc, and NASI.

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 IIT Kanpur .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


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