Program Overview

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Course Overview

The Quantum Theory of Solids course, designated as FY8302, is a doctoral degree level program offered at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU).

Course Details

• Credits: 7.5
• Level: Doctoral degree level
• Course Start: Spring 2026
• Duration: 1 semester
• Language of Instruction: English
• Location: Trondheim
• Examination Arrangement: School exam

About the Course

Course Content

The course covers field quantization, occupation number representation for nonrelativistic fermionic and bosonic many-particle systems, interacting electron gas, Green's functions, many-particle perturbation theory, and Feynman diagrams. It also includes lattice models for fermions and spins, the Hubbard model, the Heisenberg model, spin-wave theory of ferro- and antiferromagnets, electron-phonon coupling, the Cooper problem, and the BCS theory of superconductivity.

Learning Outcome

Upon completion, students will have knowledge of key examples of field theories and lattice models for systems of interacting fermions, bosons, and spins. They will master the use of creation and annihilation operators, Fourier and Bogoliubov transformations, and be introduced to many-particle Green functions and many-particle perturbation theory, including Feynman diagrams.

Learning Methods and Activities

The course consists of lectures and voluntary homework problems, with an expected workload of 225 hours. It shares joint lectures with TFY4210.

Evaluation and Conditions

Further on Evaluation

The re-sit examination may be changed from written to oral, and when lectures are in English, the exam may be given in English only.

Specific Conditions

Admission to a programme of study is required, specifically Biophysics (PHBIFY) or Physics (PHFY).

Recommended Previous Knowledge

The courses FY2045 and TFY4205 or equivalent are recommended as prior knowledge.

Course Materials

Information about relevant literature will be provided at the start of the course.

Credit Reductions

There are credit reductions for overlapping courses, specifically DIF4923 and TFY4210, to avoid academic overlap.

Subject Areas

• Solid State Theory
• Solid State Physics
• Physics

Examination Details

Ordinary Examination

• Examination Arrangement: School exam
• Grade: Passed / Not Passed
• Weighting: 100/100
• Examination Aids: Code C
• Date and Time: To be specified, with a duration of 4 hours

Re-sit Examination

• Examination Arrangement: School exam
• Weighting: 100/100
• Examination Aids: Code C
• Duration: 4 hours
• Place and Room: Not specified yet, to be announced later.