Course

This course introduces quantum field theory from scratch and then develops the theory of the quantum fluctuations of fields and particles. We will focus, in particular, on how quantum fields are affected by curvature and by spacetime horizons. This will lead us to the Unruh effect, Hawking radiation and to inflationary cosmology. Inflationary cosmology, which we will study in detail, is part of the current standard model of cosmology which holds that all structure in the universe - such as the distribution of galaxies - originated in tiny quantum fluctuations of a scalar field and of space-time itself. For intuition, consider that quantum field fluctuations of significant amplitude normally occur only at very small length scales. Close to the big bang, during a brief initial period of nearly exponentially fast expansion (inflation), such small-wavelength but large-amplitude quantum fluctuations were stretched out to cosmological wavelengths. In this way, quantum fluctuations are thought to have seeded the observed inhomogeneities in the cosmic microwave background - which in turn seeded the condensation of hydrogen into galaxies and stars, all closely matching the increasingly accurate astronomical observations over recent years. The prerequisites for this course are a solid understanding of quantum theory and some basic knowledge of general relativity, such as FRW spacetimes.

https://uwaterloo.ca/physics-of-information-lab/teaching/quantum-field-theory-cosmology-amath872phys785-w2024

https://pitp.zoom.us/j/96567241418?pwd=U3I1V1g4YXdaZ3psT1FrZUdlYm1zdz09

This course will introduce you to some of the geometrical structures underlying theoretical physics. Previous knowledge of differential geometry is not required. Topics covered in the course include: Introduction to manifolds, differential forms, symplectic manifolds, symplectic version of Noether’s theorem, integration on manifolds, fiber bundles, principal bundles and applications to gauge theory.

The Gravitational Physics course takes your knowledge and practice of gravity to the next level. We start by recapping the essential elements of differential geometry, adding some new techniques to the toolbox, then apply some of these methods to learning about submanifolds, extra dimensions, and black hole thermodynamics. Towards the end of the course, we delve into the frontiers, with a sample of recent research topics.

This mini-course will introduce twisted holography, which is holography for BPS subsectors of gauge theory and gravity. We will start by introducing the B-model topological string from the space-time perspective, before discussing branes, backreaction, and the holographic duality.

Zoom: https://pitp.zoom.us/j/98839130613?pwd=SExFK0ZVYzJ3NmJhU1RFa21PWU1qQT09

In this mini-course we will describe some recent integrability developments in N=4 SYM. Pedro will start with some overview of three point functions in this theory. Paul will introduce the powerful Quantum Spectral Curve formalism describing the full planar spectrum of N=4 SYM starting with some elementary spin chain introduction. In this formalism, each operator in the theory is governed by a (set of) Q-function(s). In his last lecture Paul will walk us through an explicit example from beginning to end of a QSC solution. Pedro will then describe some explorations on three point correlation functions in this theory. The goal would be to have a machine where three Q-functions are given as input and a three-point function is spit out as output. We will describe where we are in this quest. 

No Zoom link or hybrid participation available. Registration is not required.