Physics 216:Special Topics in Solid State Physics

Quantum Magnetism

Announcements

Presentation Reports

Lecture Notes and References

Location and Timings

Tue, Thu 12:30-2 pm in (Old) Leconte 325.
+Wed 10-11am (Nov 1,8,15) in Evans 508-20.

Course Outline

This is a special topics course aimed at graduate students interested in modern condensed matter physics. Basic concepts of Many Body physics will be discussed in the context of quantum spin systems. Insulating quantum magnets are the simplest physical systems that realize a variety of nontrivial phenomena, including collective effects such as spontaneous symmetry breaking and quantum number fractionalization. The course will cover both conceptual ideas and theoretical techniques and also discuss physical realizations and experimental probes of magnetism.

Audience

The course will be relevant to students interested in condensed matter theory, field theory and quantum information as well as condensed matter experimentalists. No advanced courses are required as a prerequisite.

Brief Contents (click here for a longer version)

  1. Spontaneous symmetry breaking and ordering transitions
  2. Origin of magnetic interactions in materials. Probes of magnetism
  3. Quantum spins in one dimension
  4. Kondo effect. Spin liquids and fractionalization in D=2. (time permitting)


Evaluation

  1. Project 70%
  2. Class Participation 30%

Textbooks

  1. Auerbach, A., Quantum Magnetism and Interacting Electrons, Springer Verlag, NY . (partly available here )
  2. Sachdev, S., Quantum Phase Transitions. Cambridge University Press.