FS 2019 - Proseminar: Condensed Matter Physics


Time and place: Thursday 12:15-14:00, Department of Physics, Seminarzimmer 4.1

Prerequisites

Physics 1-4, Condensed Matter Physics, Quantum Mechanics, (parallel in 6th semester Statistical Mechanics)

Syllabus

Selected topics from experimental and theoretical condensed matter physics.

In previous semesters, a number of condensed matter physics proseminars have existed, e.g. Proseminar Oberflächenphysik, Proseminar theoretische Physik (condensed matter) and Proseminar Physik der kondensierten Materie (general introductory KoMa proseminar). These were merged into a single proseminar covering the entire broad spectrum of condensed matter physics including both theoretical as well as experimental condensed matter physics. This should result in a larger number of participants, providing a broader range of topics and feedback, thus improving the learning experience.

Note that in the fall semester, the proseminar in experimental nano- and quantumphysics is organized as a more advanced proseminar covering state-of-the-art and/or recent research results.

Structure

Students will pick one topic (from a list, or suggest your own topic) and present it to the class (30 minutes talk plus discussion), with the goal of giving a pedagogical introduction at a level that can be followed by the class. The slides (pdf) and a 2 page summary (pdf, from LaTeX) are to be handed in. No problem sets. Topics from both theoretical and experimental condensed matter physics are available.

Goals

  • Learn selected topics of condensed matter physics (more advanced compared to the introductory lecture of the fall semester)
  • Presentation skills
  • Discussion skills
  • Literature research

Teaching assistants

The teaching assistants (TAs) will guide the students through the preparation of the talk and 2-page summary. Also, there will be a demo talk done by a TA to give a good example.

Schedule

February 21

1st meeting, room 4.1, 12:15pm, infos and organization

February 28

TA's demo presentations

by March 4

email Ilaria Zardo topic of choice
(plus two alternatives. First come, first serve)

March 7

TA assignments, presentation dates

April 11

 student presentations start
There will be typically two presentations per week.
Please note that April 18 and May 30 are holidays.

Grades

Number grades 1-6 will be awarded, based on the in-class presentation and the 2-page summary. Students are expected to attend class every Thursday. Students and TAs will fill out a feedback form (anonymous) after each talk giving the presenter an evaluation. Please note that the preparation is a considerable effort (4KP).

Language

English

Teaching Team

Alessio Campo (coordinator)

alessio.campo@unibas.ch

Kristopher Cerveny

kris.cerveny@unibas.ch

Dr. Christina Psaroudaki

christina.psaroudaki@unibas.ch

Dr. Christian Scheller

christian.scheller@unibas.ch

Prof. Ilaria Zardo

ilaria.zardo@unibas.ch

Proseminar Talks

Time and place: Thursday 12:15-14:00, Department of Physics, Seminarzimmer 4.1

Student

Topic

Assistant

Date

Hannes Huber

MBE growth

Kristopher Cerveny

02.05.2019

Benjamin Arnold

Semiconductor Heterostrcutrues

Christian Sheller

02.05.2019

Jonas Amport

Topology in Magnetism

Christina Psaroudaki

16.05.2019

Aaron Daniel

Superfluidity

Christina Psaroudaki

23.05.2019

Guest Talks

Time and place: 23.05.2019, 13:10-14:00, Department of Physics, Seminarzimmer 4.1

Speaker

Topic

Patrick Reiser

Quantitative Single Spin Magnetometry of 2D Ferromagnetism

Dr. Matteo Fadel

Bose-Einstein condensates: theory and applications