Quantum Field Theory on Curved Spacetime (QFTCS) examines how quantum fields behave in classical curved spacetime, combining quantum mechanics with general relativity while excluding quantum gravity effects. This lecture will cover key phenomena such as Hawking radiation, where black holes emit thermal radiation, the Unruh effect, which describes how accelerated observers perceive a thermal bath in vacuum, and cosmological particle creation, which occurs during the expansion of the universe. Additionally, the course will provide a foundational overview of general relativity and quantum field theory in flat Minkowski spacetime to build the necessary theoretical framework.
Schedule
Lectures:
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Monday: 11:15 - 12:45 (R114)
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Friday: 11:15 - 12:45 (R114)
Exercise Classes:
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Friday: 13:15 - 14:45 (R114)
- Trainer/in: Philipp Dorau
- Trainer/in: Albert Much
Introductory course to quantum dynamics and kinetics of driven and open systems.
- Trainer/in: Inti Antonio Nicolas Sodemann Villadiego
Introductory course to quantum mechanics for undergraduate physics students.
- Trainer/in: Inti Antonio Nicolas Sodemann Villadiego
Since this course is completely new, it's still not set up on Almaweb. Thus, student registration should be done by sending an e-mail from your University e-mail address (@studserv.uni-leipzig.de) to the following address: module-registration@physes.uni-leipzig.de. The email registration will take place between 25.3.2025 and 5pm on 31/3/2025, and in the email you should indicate: the name of this module (namely, "Introduction to General Relativity"), your name, your surname, the course of studies and your matriculation number.
This module offers an introduction to Einstein's theory of General Relativity. The topics that it will aim to cover are the following:
- Special theory of relativity
- Equivalence principle
- Schwarzschild black hole
- Diffraction of light rays in gravitational fields; redshift
- Motion of test masses in gravitational fields
- Conservation of energy and momentum in an external gravitational field
- Newton's limiting case
- Energy-momentum tensor and energy conditions
- Observable effects, for example: Relativity in the GPS system, spin precession, perihelion precession of Mercury.
- Advanced topics
The objectives of the module are that the students: become familiar with important physical effects of General Relativity; are able to apply their knowledge to concrete problems; are able to follow specialized literature and expand their knowledge independently.
The recommended bibliography is the following:
· N. Straumann: "General Relativity", Springer Graduate Texts in Physics 2nd Edition, 2013
· JB Hartle: "An Introduction to Einstein's General Relativity" Pearson Education 1st Edition, 2001
· SM Caroll: “Spacetime and Geometry: An Introduction to General Relativity” Cambridge University Press, 1st Edition, 2019
· R. D'Inverno, J. Vickers: "Introducing Einstein's Relativity: A Deeper Understanding" Oxford University Press 2nd Edition, 2022
· N. Ashby: “Relativity in the Global Positioning System” Living Reviews in Relativity, Volume 6, Article Number 1, Springer Verlag, 2003
B. Schutz: “A First Course in General Relativity” Cambridge University Press, 2022
This module is recommended for students in the 6th semester of the B.Sc. or 2nd semester of the M.Sc. and it will consist of 2 SWS of lectures (“Lecture”) and 2 SWS of exercise classes (“Übung”).
Credit points are awarded on successful completion of the module.
Module assessment: Written examination of 90-minute duration, with weighting: 1. Prerequisite in order to be able to take the written examination: Exercises on questions from the module content. As a rule, each exercise sheet takes one week to complete. Points are awarded for the solutions. A prerequisite for admission to the written examination is the obligation of 50% of the possible points for the entire module.
Lecturer: Dr Marc Casals
- Trainer/in: Abdilaziz Al-Azab
- Trainer/in: Marc Casals