Course content

The course is given every other year, next time fall 2016, or upon agreement with lecturer. The course gives an introduction to the application of functional integral methods to quantum mechanical many-body problems. Coherent states. Grassmann algebra. Gaussian integrals. Feynman path integrals along imaginary time. Generating functional. Green's functions. Matsubara sums. Functional bosonization of fermion theories. Saddle point approximation. Applications.

Learning outcome

The student is expected to obtain insight into functional integral methods, and how these can be applied to solve many-body problems within condensed matter theory. The course is well suited for PhD-students who want an introduction to advanced and moderm methods of treating quantum many-body systems.

Learning methods and activities

Lectures, colloquia, or guided self study, depending on the number of students in the course. Calculation exercises. When lectures and lecture material are in English, the exam may be given in English only.

Recommended previous knowledge

TFY4205 Quantum Mechanics II and TFY4210 Quantum Theory of Many-Particle Systems. Further, it is an advantage if the candidate has knowledge corresponding to TFY4230 Statistical physics.

Course materials

John W. Negele and Henri Orland: Quantum Many-Particle Systems, Addison-Wesley, 1988.
A. Sudbø: Compendium 1996.

Credit reductions