Theoretical physics

Recent years have seen enormous experimental progress in preparing, controlling and probing quantum systems in various regimes far from thermal equilibrium. Examples include systems as ultra-cold atomic quantum gases under time-dependent perturbations, driven non-linear cavity QED systems or strongly correlated electrons in solid-state materials under ultra-fast optical excitations.

Computational physics plays a central role in all fields of physics, from classical statistical physics, soft matter problems, and hard-condensed matter. Our goal is to cover the very basic concepts underlying computer simulations in classical and quantum problems, and connect these ideas to relevant contemporary research problems in various fields of physics. In the TD’s you will also learn how to set, perform and analyse simple computer simulations by yourself. We will use Python, but no previous knowledge of this programming language is needed.

Ce cours présente une introduction à la mécanique analytique. Loin de se cantonner à la mécanique, les principes variationnels sont présents dans tous les domaines de la physique (optique, hydrodynamique, mécanique quantique, etc...), ce que nous illustrerons lors des travaux dirigés.

Phase transitions take place in many different branches of physics: from soft and hard condensed matter to cosmology and high-energy physics. This course presents the fundamental ideas, concepts and methods that underpin the modern theory of phase transitions. 

An introduction to the Standard Model of particle physics, covering its fundamental particles and interactions.