- Docente: Marcello Dalmonte
- Credits: 6
- SSD: PHYS-02/A
- Language: English
- Teaching Mode: In-person learning (entirely or partially)
- Campus: Bologna
- Corso: Second cycle degree programme (LM) in Physics (cod. 6695)
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from Sep 21, 2026 to Dec 22, 2026
Learning outcomes
At the end of the course the student will acquire some knowledge about the physics of strongly interacting many body systems. More specifically he/she will be able to use both exact and approximation methods for the study of phase transitions and critical phenomena. These techniques will be seen in action by analysing some paradigmatic models, both in the classical and in the quantum setting.
Course contents
Correlated Bose and Fermi systems:
Theory of dilute Bose gases
BCS theory of superconductivity, with a reminder of Ginzburg-Landau effective theory
Strong correlations on the lattice:
Lattice models for strongly correlated systems: Hubbard, Heisenberg, and Ising models
Many-body path integral and classical-to-quantum relation
Theory of non-perturbative techniques: Markov chain Monte Carlo and advanced sampling
Lattice gauge theories: confinement and deconfinement
Ising-to-gauge duality and topological orders
Readings/Bibliography
A. L. Fetter, J. D. Walecka, Quantum theory of many-particle systems
E. Fradkin, Field Theories of Condensed Matter Physics
G. Baym and C. Pethick, Landau Fermi-Liquid Theory: Concepts and Applications
W. Krauth, Statistical Mechanics: Algorithms and Computations
Lectures notes on some parts of the course will be provided on virtuale
Teaching methods
Lectures on blackboard
Assessment methods
Oral exam: students will be asked to answer three/four questions on different topics covered by the course.
Students should demonstrate to be familiar and have a good understanding of the different subjects.
The “cum laude” honor is granted to students who demonstrate a personal and critical rethinking of the subject.
According to the general rules of the University, students will be allowed to reject the grade only once, but they can withdraw at any time during the exam.
Students with Specific Learning Disabilities (SLD) or temporary/permanent disabilities are advised to contact the University Office responsible in a timely manner (https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/en ). The office will be responsible for proposing any necessary accommodations to the students concerned. These accommodations must be submitted to the instructor for approval at least 15 days in advance, and will be evaluated in light of the learning objectives of the course.
Office hours
See the website of Marcello Dalmonte