PHY8042 : Quantum Fluids
- Offered for Year: 2020/21
- Module Leader(s): Professor Carlo Barenghi
- Lecturer: Professor Nikolaos Proukakis
- Owning School: Mathematics, Statistics and Physics
- Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters
| Semester 1 Credit Value: | 10 |
| Semester 2 Credit Value: | 10 |
| ECTS Credits: | 10.0 |
Aims
To describe the phenomenon of Bose-Einstein condensation and the main mathematical and physical features of quantum fluids (e.g. atomic gases, superfluid helium, etc).
Module Summary
The distinction between classical statistics and quantum statistics. The mechanism of Bose-Einstein condensation in its most elementary form for ideal gases. The main phenomenology of atomic condensates and superfluid liquid helium. The mathematical models which are used to determine the ground state and linear/nonlinear excitations, such as solitons and vortices.
Outline Of Syllabus
Quantum mechanics of many-particles. Maxwell-Boltzmann, Fermi-Dirac and Bose-Einstein statistics. Bose-Einstein condensation of an ideal gas. Condensate fraction. Liquid helium and superfluidity. Landau critical velocity. The two-fluid model and its consequences (e.g. thermal counterflow, second sound, etc). Vortex lines in rotating superfluids. Vortex lattices. Vortex tangles. The Nonlinear Schrodinger, or Gross-Pitaevskii, equation. The Madelung transformation and the fluid dynamics interpretation of the Gross-Pitaevskii equation. The Thomas-Fermi approximation and the ground state. Stability of Gross-Pitaevskii equation and the energy functional. The dispersion relation and linear waves (phonons). Nonlinear waves (dark and bright solitons), vortices and critical velocities. Vortex dynamics in two and three dimensions. Overview of relevant experimental findings. Quantum turbulence, Josephson effects, or other topics of current research (e.g. two-component condensates, dipolar condensates, polariton condensates, etc).
Teaching Methods
Please note that module leaders are reviewing the module teaching and assessment methods for Semester 2 modules, in light of the Covid-19 restrictions. There may also be a few further changes to Semester 1 modules. Final information will be available by the end of August 2020 in for Semester 1 modules and the end of October 2020 for Semester 2 modules.
Teaching Activities
| Category | Activity | Number | Length | Student Hours | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Structured Guided Learning | Lecture materials | 36 | 1:00 | 36:00 | Non-Synchronous Activities |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 30 | 1:00 | 30:00 | N/A |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Lecture | 9 | 1:00 | 9:00 | Present in Person (S2) |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Lecture | 9 | 1:00 | 9:00 | Synchronous On-Line Material |
| Structured Guided Learning | Structured non-synchronous discussion | 18 | 1:00 | 18:00 | N/A |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Drop-in/surgery | 4 | 1:00 | 4:00 | Office Hour or Discussion Board Activity |
| Guided Independent Study | Independent study | 94 | 1:00 | 94:00 | N/A |
| Total | 200:00 |
Jointly Taught With
| Code | Title |
|---|---|
| MAS8812 | Quantum Fluids |
Teaching Rationale And Relationship
Non-synchronous online materials are used for the delivery of theory and explanation of methods, illustrated with examples, and for giving general feedback on assessed work. Present-in-person and synchronous online sessions are used to help develop the students’ abilities at applying the theory to solving problems and to identify and resolve specific queries raised by students, and to allow students to receive individual feedback on marked work. Students who cannot attend a present-in-person session will be provided with an alternative activity allowing them to access the learning outcomes of that session. In addition, office hours/discussion board activity will provide an opportunity for more direct contact between individual students and the lecturer: a typical student might spend a total of one or two hours over the course of the module, either individually or as part of a group.
Alternatives will be offered to students unable to be present-in-person due to the prevailing C-19 circumstances.
Student’s should consult their individual timetable for up-to-date delivery information.
Assessment Methods
Please note that module leaders are reviewing the module teaching and assessment methods for Semester 2 modules, in light of the Covid-19 restrictions. There may also be a few further changes to Semester 1 modules. Final information will be available by the end of August 2020 in for Semester 1 modules and the end of October 2020 for Semester 2 modules.
The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners
Exams
| Description | Length | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Written Examination | 60 | 2 | A | 60 | 24-hour exam |
Other Assessment
| Description | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Portfolio | 1 | M | 8 | Written exercises 1 |
| Report | 2 | M | 20 | Technical report |
| Portfolio | 2 | M | 5 | written exercise 3 |
| Portfolio | 1 | M | 7 | written exercise 2 |
Assessment Rationale And Relationship
A substantial formal examination is appropriate for the assessment of the material in this module. The course assessments will allow the students to develop their problem solving techniques, to practise the methods learnt in the module, to assess their progress and to receive feedback; these assessments have a secondary formative purpose as well as their primary summative purpose.
Reading Lists
Timetable
- Timetable Website: www.ncl.ac.uk/timetable/
- PHY8042's Timetable