Fundamentals of classical theory of electromagnetic (e.m.) radiation. Oscillation fields and their quantization: phonons. Electromagnetic fields and potentials: photons and their quantization in the Coulomb gauge. Interaction of matter with e.m. fields: photon emission and absorption, scattering of light. Condensed matter: Superfluidity, phonon spectrum and spontaneous symmetry breaking. Relativistic particles: Dirac’s equation for the electron, main consequences and its quantization.
Recommended reading: M. Ciafaloni: notes on “Introduzione alla teoria dei campi” available on web; F. Mandl and G. Shaw, Quantum Field Theory (J. Wiley and sons); L. D. Landau and E. M. Lifshitz, Physique Statistique, Editions MIR
Learning Objectives
Knowledge acquired: Introductory treatment of quantum fields, like photons, phonons and particles
Competence acquired: Calculating probabilities of simple radiative processes
Skills acquired (at the end of the course):
Theoretical perturbative treatment of radiation – matter interactions
Prerequisites
Courses recommended: Courses on Quantum Mechanics and Statistical Physics (Laurea triennale on Physics and Astrophysics)
Teaching Methods
Total hours of the course (including the time spent in attending lectures, seminars, private study, examinations, etc...):
150
Hours reserved to private study and other individual formative activities:
Contact hours for: Lectures (hours): 54
Further information
Office hours:
ciafaloni@fi.infn.it
On appointment
Type of Assessment
Oral test.
Course program
Fundamentals of classical theory of electromagnetic (e.m.) radiation. Oscillation fields and their quantization: phonons. Electromagnetic fields and potentials: photons and their quantization in the Coulomb gauge. Interaction of matter with e.m. fields: photon emission and absorption, scattering of light. Condensed matter: Superfluidity, phonon spectrum and spontaneous symmetry breaking (outline). Relativistic particles: Dirac’s equation for the electron, its main consequences and its quantization (outline).