Course content

The course is given every other year, next time autumn 2011. Examples of groups. Classes, cosets, factor groups. Irreducible and reducible representations. The character of a representation. Point groups and product groups. Invariant tensors. Symmetry of the Hamiltonian operator and corresponding perturbation terms. Evaluation of matrix elements. Crystal field splitting. Optical spectra. Magnetic space groups. Ginzburg-Landau theory. Symmetry in the energy bands of electrons. Continuous groups and Lie groups.

Learning outcome

The student is expected to learn how to apply symmetry in a systematic way within atomic, molecular, and solid state physics.

Learning methods and activities

Lectures and voluntary calculation exercises.

Recommended previous knowledge

TFY4250 Quantum Mechanics I and TFY4205 Quantum Mechanics II, or corresponding knowledge. Good knowledge in linear algebra is strongly recommended.

Course materials

T. Inui, Y. Tanabe og Y. Onodera: Group Theory and Its Applications in Physics, Springer Verlag 1990.

Credit reductions