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Numerical methods are playing a more and more prominent role in many of the forefront fields of research: Quantum magnetism, High-temperature superconductors, Manganites, Quantum liquids, Bose-Einstein condensates, Quantum Computing, Particle Physics are a few example.
In recent years, one has seen dramatic improvements in ab initio methods and the way they include the effect of correlations, as well as the emergence of new Path-Integral Quantum Monte Carlo techniques, Quantum Cluster Approaches (Dynamical Cluster Approximation, Cellular Dynamical Mean-Field Theory, Variational Cluster Approximation), Stochastic Series Expansion. One has also seen dramatic improvements in methods such as the Density Matrix Renormalization Group brought about by ideas in Quantum Information. The serious student of theoretical physics cannot afford to ignore these methods and the physical insights they have brought.
The codes for the most powerful
established algorithms are even freely accessible on the Web through
the Abinit and ALPS
project in Europe. The purpose of
this Summer
School is to give an in-depth introduction to the main numerical
methods
currently employed in various fields of theoretical many-body physics
so that
the student will be able to use these methods, become familiar with the
breakthroughs they allowed and be able to make a critical appraisal of
each
method's relative strengths and weaknesses.
Hands-on training on Abinit and ALPS codes will be an integral part of the School.
About two-thirds of the time will be spent learning numerical methods, but each one will also be abundantly illustrated with applications on topics of current research interest.
Students should have at least one year of graduate work and be familiar with advanced quantum mechanics and statistical mechanics. A few places will be available to Postdocs and Faculty members. Exceptionally, they can request to attend only part of the school. International students need to obtain a visa or to show their admission letter upon entry, depending on their country of origin.
All students will be registered for this School as a three credit PhD level course with Université de Sherbrooke (there will be 45 hours of lecture, equivalent to a one-semester course). Necessary steps for admission will be handled by Université de Sherbrooke. Students who wish can enquire with their own University to transfer these credits. There are no fees for registration or tuition. The course will be Pass-Fail and the final exam will be given on the last day of the conference, June 6 2008. Students who prefer can hand-in a take home exam at a later date. ATTENTION: The only official information necessary for registration will be a clear photocopy of your passport (birth certificate for Canadians). If presently studying at a Canadian university, foreign students will have to produce a clear photocopy of their study permit and the CAQ if in Québec |
