COS 522: Computational Methods for Quantum Field Theories
Course Title |
Computational Methods for Quantum Field Theories |
Course Code |
COS 522 |
Course Type |
Elective |
Level |
PhD |
Instructor’s Name |
Prof. Constantia Alexandrou (Lead Instructor), Dr Jacob Finkenrath, Dr. Kyriakos Hadjiyiannakou |
ECTS |
5 |
Lectures / week |
1 (90 min. each) |
Laboratories / week |
1 (90 min. each) |
Course Purpose and Objectives |
The purpose of the course is to equip students with the necessary skills for carrying out research involving simulations of quantum field theories. The course will teach PhD students to use state-of-the-art computational methods for simulating and studying quantum field theories. Lectures introducing the methodologies will be followed by hands-on practical training, requiring students to develop their own codes, obtaining data from the simulations, and performing statistical analysis. |
Learning Outcomes |
By completing the course, students will have learned and applied techniques as used currently in state-of-the-art simulations of quantum field theories. These include: - Simulation techniques for quantum field theories, such as heat-bath, multilevel approached, and Hybrid Monte Carlo
- Scaling and optimizing application codes of multi-dimensional lattices and using such software on leadership computers equipped with novel
computer architectures
- Management and analysis of large structured data sets
|
Prerequisites |
None |
Background Requirements |
- Knowledge of C/C++ and MPI for simulation codes |
Course Content |
Week 1-2: Path integral formulation for quantum mechanical systems and gauge theories. First computer implementations and best practices for optimized codes. Week 3-5: Monte Carlo methods for relativistic quantum field theories and gauge theories; Applications to the scalar field theories and pure
gauge theory.
|
Teaching Methodology |
- One 3-hour session per week including a lecture (c.a. 1.5 hours) and handson practical exercises applying the taught content (c.a. 1.5 hours) |
Bibliography |
- Lecture notes |
Assessment |
- Coursework |
Language |
English |