(English Below) La majeure physique du M2 Science de la Matière propose:
Un large spectre de cours qui permet une spécialisation progressive au cours de l'année. Que vous soyez inconditionnel du formalisme théorique, de la modélisation numérique ou passionné de physique expérimentale, les 30 modules du M2 (Physique) permettent de composer une formation à la carte au meilleur niveau. Tout en restant généraliste, l'offre de cours permet d'aborder des cours de niveau avancé à l'interface avec d'autre discipline (Géophysique, Biophysique, ...). Voir les cours
Cinq 'couleurs' scientifiques principales. Les cours sont organisés de manière cohérente toute au long du Master pour colorer son parcours selon l'une des 5 thématique scientifiques principales: 1) Astrophysique, 2) Hydrodynamique et Physique non-linéaire, 3) Physique des interactions fondamentales, 4) Physique de la matière condensée, quantique et optique, 5) Physique de la matière complexe et du vivant.
A ces couleurs, s'ajoute la possibilité de teinter son parcours d'une mineure en choisissant de valider un bloc d'UEs spécifiques sur l'une des 2 approches: A) modélisation des systèmes complexes et Intelligence Artificielle pour la Physique; B) modélisation numérique pour la Physique et la Chimie.
Un contact privilégié avec les chercheurs. Plus de 50 intervenants en pointe des recherches se rendent largement disponibles auprès des 40 à 50 étudiants de chaque promotion. Cette proximité permet une ouverture directe sur le monde de la recherche dans les laboratoires à Lyon, Paris, et partout en France…
Un accompagnement et un conseil personnalisé tout au long de l'année, et principalement pour le choix du stage et de la thèse. Les responsables du M2 suivent avec attention le choix des sujet, du laboratoire et des encadrants pour assurer au mieux la réussite du stage et l'obtention d'un financement de thèse.
Un tremplin vers la thèse : plus de 90% des étudiants poursuivent en doctorat, avec un financement pour 3 ans minimum. Les autres étudiants se dirigent vers l'enseignement, choisissent de suivre une formation complémentaire ou optent pour un carrière industrielle. Les localisations des thèses s'équilibrent principalement entre Lyon, Paris et le reste de la France, mais près de 10% se préparent également à l'étranger.
Un fort taux de réussite : grâce à une sélection importante à l'entrée et un suivi tout au long du M2, 97 % des étudiants valident leur diplôme à la fin de l'année.
De nombreux documents internes à la formation (notes de cours, textes de travaux dirigés, archives d'examens, questionnaires d'évaluation, etc.) sont mis à la disposition des étudiants de M2 sur le "portail des études" après identification sur le serveur de l'ENS.
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The Physics track of the M2 Science of Matter program offers:
A wide range of courses that allow for progressive specialization throughout the year. Whether you’re a fan of theoretical formalism, numerical modeling, or passionate about experimental physics, the 30 modules of the M2 Physics program allow you to tailor your curriculum to the highest standards. While maintaining a broad foundation, the course offerings allow students to take advanced courses at the interface with other disciplines (Geophysics, Biophysics, etc.). View the courses
Five main scientific “areas.” Courses are organized coherently throughout the Master’s program to allow students to tailor their academic path according to one of five main scientific themes: 1) Astrophysics, 2) Hydrodynamics and Nonlinear Physics, 3) Physics of Fundamental Interactions, 4) Condensed Matter Physics, Quantum Physics, and Optics, 5) Physics of Complex Matter and Living Systems.
In addition to these specializations, students have the option to tailor their program with a minor by completing a block of specific course units in one of two tracks: A) Modeling of Complex Systems and Artificial Intelligence for Physics; B) Numerical Modeling for Physics and Chemistry.
Close interaction with researchers. More than 50 leading researchers are readily available to the 40 to 50 students in each class. This close relationship provides direct exposure to the world of research in laboratories in Lyon, Paris, and throughout France…
Personalized support and guidance throughout the year, particularly regarding the selection of an internship and a thesis topic. The M2 program directors closely monitor the selection of topics, laboratories, and advisors to ensure the success of the internship and the securing of thesis funding.
A springboard to a PhD thesis: more than 90% of students go on to pursue a Ph.D., with funding for at least three years. The remaining students pursue careers in teaching, choose to pursue further training, or opt for a career in industry. Thesis locations are primarily split between Lyon, Paris, and the rest of France, but nearly 10% are also conducted abroad.
A high success rate: thanks to a rigorous admissions process and ongoing support throughout the M2 program, 97% of students successfully complete their degree by the end of the year.
Numerous internal program documents (lecture notes, tutorial materials, exam archives, evaluation questionnaires, etc.) are made available to M2 students on the “student portal” after they log in to the ENS server.
Obligations: at least 30 ECTS on S3a+S3b, at least 9 ECTS on S4a + 4-month internship (21 ECTS) OR 6-month internship (30 ECTS)
See the description of the minors "Computational Physics & Chemistry" and "Complex Systems & IA" for the list of extra courses.
Path integrals and applications
Marc Magro
M. Magro
H. Roussille
L’objectif principal de ce cours est de donner une introduction au concept d’intégrale de chemin et de ses applications, tout d’abord dans le cadre de la mécanique quantique, puis de le généraliser à la théorie quantique des champs où il est devenu un outil essentiel pour la compréhension de divers systèmes physiques allant des interactions fondamentales à la théorie des transitions de phases. L’intégrale de chemin permet en particulier une approche alternative aux formalismes de Schrödinger et de Heisenberg de la mécanique quantique qui met en correspondance naturelle théorie classique et théorie quantique. C’est aussi un outil indispensable pour un développement systématique de la théorie des perturbations dans le cadre d’un grand nombre de degrés de liberté permettant ainsi de passer naturellement de la mécanique quantique avec un petit nombre de particules à la théorie quantique des champs et à la mécanique statistique.
1 – Introduction et motivations
2 – Intégrales de chemin en mécanique quantique
3 – Compléments sur dérivée fonctionnelle et intégrales gaussiennes
4- Intégrales de chemin gaussiennes - Déterminants fonctionnels
5- Fonctionnelle génératrice et développements perturbatifs
6 – Fonctions de corrélation
7- Indications sur l'intégrale de chemin en théorie quantique des champs
8 – États cohérents et représentation holomorphe
écrit
Quantum field theory: interactions
Henning Samtleben
Henning Samtleben
Karol Kozlowski
Mécanique Quantique Avancée, M1 (Advanced Quantum Mechanics)
Quantification des Champs Libres, M1 (Quantum Field Theory : Free Fields)
This course introduces the fundamental concepts and methods of quantum field theory, with particular emphasis on quantum electrodynamics (QED). By the end of the course, students should be able to understand and apply the basic formalism of relativistic quantum fields, derive and use Feynman rules, compute simple scattering amplitudes and perturbative corrections, and understand the fundamental principles of renormalisation.
Le but de ce cours est une introduction aux concepts fondamentaux des théories des champs quantiques avec notamment une introduction détaillée à l’électrodynamique quantique.
I. Free Quantum Fields (Review)
The Klein–Gordon field, Canonical commutation relations, Propagators, Generating functionals
II. Interacting Quantum Fields
The S-matrix, Scattering amplitudes and cross sections, The LSZ reduction formula
III. Perturbation Theory
The interaction picture, Dyson series, Correlation functions, The Gell-Mann–Low formula, Feynman rules, Applications and examples
IV. Quantum Electrodynamics
Spinor fields: spin (1/2), Vector fields: spin (1), Interactions (QED), Electron–electron scattering
V. Renormalisation
Electron self-energy, Dimensional regularisation, Renormalisation, One-loop divergences in QED, Higher-order corrections and renormalisability
VI. Ward–Takahashi Identities
Functional integrals for scalar and fermionic fields, The effective action, Ward–Takahashi identities
Written exam of 3 hours.
C. Itzykson and J.-B. Zuber, Quantum Field Theory, McGraw-Hill, 1980
S. Weinberg, The Quantum Theory of Fields, Vols. I–III, Cambridge University Press, 1995
L. H. Ryder, Quantum Field Theory, Cambridge University Press, 1996
M. Srednicki, Quantum Field Theory, Cambridge University Press, 2007.
M. D. Schwartz, Quantum Field Theory and the Standard Model, Cambridge University Press, 2014.
A. Zee, Quantum Field Theory in a Nutshell, Princeton University Press, 2010.
Advanced Computational Statistical Physics
Ralf Everaers
Ralf Everaers
Physique statistique L3 and M1
Physique numérique L3
Statistical Physics deals with behavior that emerges from the interactions of many particles. Since exact analytical solutions of the governing equations only exist for a small number of models, computer simulations have become an indispensable tool in the field and neighboring disciplines like Condensed Matter Physics, Theoretical and Physical Chemistry, Chemical and Biological Physics.
The cours introduces the methods employed for exploring the static and dynamic properties of particle based systems on an advanced level. Computational exercises, where these methods are applied to simple, but powerful models, form an integral part of the module.
- Molecular Dynamics Simulations for the exploration of emergent dynamic properties
- TD: Integrating Newton’s equations of motion for continuous potentials: The secret behind the Verlet algorithm
- Liouville formulation of symplectic and multiple-timestep integrators
- Langevin dynamics
- Thermodynamic averages, fluctuations and transformations between ensembles
- Linear response and Green-Kubo relations for transport coefficients
- TD: MD simulations of Lennard-Jones liquids
- Non-equilibrium Molecular Dynamics
- Monte Carlo Simulations for the exploration of emergent static properties
- Exact enumeration of small systems: Reweighting and the exact evaluation of partition functions
- Monte Carlo simulations
- Simple Sampling: Statistical errors and the limits of reweighting
- Importance Sampling: The Metropolis algorithm; Statistical errors, dynamical correlations and the power of well-designed trial moves: Glauber vs. Kawasaki vs Cluster moves for spin systems; Simulating polymers; Quenched disorder: spin glasses; Other ensembles.
- TD: Monte Carlo simulations of the Ising model
- Free energies
- Widom insertion and thermodynamic integration
- TD: free energy of a methane molecule in water from TI (L. Monticelli)
- Advanced techniques:
- TD: The density of states of the Ising model from Multihistogram analysis/WHAM
- TD: Protein binding energies from Umbrella Sampling and Steered Molecular Dynamics (L. Monticelli)
- Widom insertion and thermodynamic integration
- Exploring Rare events
- (sampling) transition states and paths
- Kinetic Monte Carlo
Mini-projet et examen écrit
- Frenkel and Smit, Understanding Molecular Simulation
- Allen and Tildesley, Computer Simulation of Liquids
- Landau and Binder, A Guide to Monte Carlo Simulations in Statistical Physics
- Krauth, Algorithms and Computations
General relativity and cosmology
Etera LIVINE
Etera LIVINE
Alexandre ARBEY
Tensors and Geometry M1, Introduction to General Relativity M1
The course is made of two complementary parts, general relativity and cosmology. On the one hand, we will review the motivation, scope and mathematics of general relativity, study its Hamiltonian formulation and work out its astrophysical application to black holes and cosmology. On the other hand, we will review the basic tools to describe the cosmological history, study the various cosmological eras and their main equations, and present the limitations of the current paradigm.
I. General Relativity
A. The geometry of space-timeB. The Einstein equations
C. Basic GR solutions
D. Hamiltonian formulation: Einstein equations as evolution equations
E. Black Holes
II. Cosmology
A. Standard cosmological model
B. Hot Big-Bang and primordial cosmic plasma
C. Structure formation
Written exam (3 hours)
Misner, Thorne & Wheeler, Gravitation
• Matthias Blau Lecture Notes on General Relativity, http://www.blau.itp.unibe.ch/Lecturenotes.html
• Eric Gourgoulhon, Relativité Générale and 3+1 Formalism and Bases of Numerical
Relativity, https://cel.archives-ouvertes.fr/cel-00366315v3/document, https://arxiv.org/abs/gr-qc/0703035
• Peter and J.-P. Uzan, Primordial Cosmology
• S. Weinberg, Cosmology
• S. Dodelson, Modern Cosmology
• Y. Mambrini, Particles in the Dark Universe
Nonlinear physics and instabilities
Olivier PIERRE-LOUIS
Olivier PIERRE-LOUIS
Vincent DEMERY
Familiarité avec les notions élémentaires de mathématiques appliquées (équations différentielle, algèbre linéaire).
Ondes nonlinéaires.
- Notions sur les équations de solitons. Equation de Korteweg-de Vries; compétitions entre nonlinéarité et dispersion. Existence et interactions d’ondes solitaires.
- Equation de Burgers. compétition entre nonlinéarité et dissipation.
- Notions sur les systèmes de réaction diffusion. Propagation de fronts. Croissance d’un milieu stable dans un milieu métastable ou dans un milieu instable. Notions sur les milieux excitables.
- Instabilité des trains d’onde. Développements multi-échelles et équations d’amplitude.
- Equation de Schrödinger nonlinéaire.
Morphogénèse:
- panorama de la morphogénèse dans les systèmes hors équilibre: physique, hydrodynamique, biologie, etc.
- Etude de stabilité linéaire dans les systèmes étendus
- Patterns et leurs instabilités secondaires
- Coarsening et lois d'échelle
- Chaos spatiotemporel
Ecrit (3h)
On pourra se référer au livre de Thierry Dauxois et Michel Peyrard (Physics of Solitons) ou les livres de M. Cross and H. Greenside, Pattern Formation and Dynamics in Non-equilibrium Systems, de L. Pismen, Patterns and Interfaces in Dissipative Dynamics, et de C. Misbah, Complex Dynamics and Morphogenesis, An Introduction to Nonlinear Sciences
Advanced statistical mechanics
Eric Bertin
E. Bertin
F. Detchevery
This course covers advanced topics in statistical physics, mostly out of equilibrium. The relevant formalism (statistics of sums of random variables, stochastic processes,…) is first introduced. Then the course covers the standard topics of Langevin and Fokker-Planck equations, as well as linear response close to equilibrium and fluctuation-dissipation relations. Far from equilibrium extensions like fluctuation relations are also presented. In the last part, the course discusses examples of N-body distributions in out-of-equilibrium models, as well as the more versatile approach using an effective description in terms of a one-body distribution. Some examples of applications are taken from the recent literature.
Lecture 1: Sums of random variables
Statistics of sums of random variables, central limit theorem and its generalization to broadly distributed random variables. Examples of correlated or non-identically distributed random variables. Large deviations and their relevance in statistical physics.
Application of sums of random variables to equilibrium disordered systems, example of the Random Energy Model.
Lecture 2: Stochastic processes
Markov jump processes, master equation, detailed balance. Random walk on a lattice. Diffusive limit and diffusion equation. Continuous time random walks and anomalous diffusion.
Statistics of the first return time of a random walk.
Relaxation to equilibrium, increase of entropy, expansion over the eigenvectors of the Markov operator. Non-stationary dynamics at large time and aging phenomenon.
Lecture 3: Langevin and Fokker-Planck equations
Langevin equation, definition and physical motivation. Detailed balance.
Fokker-Planck equation. Derivation from a biased random walk on a lattice. Kramers-Moyal expansion. Stationary solution without flux (equilibrium) and with flux. Physical examples.
Relaxation to equilibrium and Ornstein-Uhlenbeck process.
Langevin equation with multiplicative noise, Ito and Stratonovitch discretization rules. Corresponding Fokker-Planck equation. Wong-Zakai theorem. Stochastic on-off intermittency as an example of multiplicative noise. Stochastic calculus and Ito's lemma.
Lecture 4: Response to an external field
Linear response close to equilibrium. Response function and Kubo formula. Time-correlation function and fluctuation-dissipation relation. Microreversibility and symmetry of response functions. Kramers-Krönig relation.
Statistics of trajectories and fluctuation relation far from equilibrium. Comparison of a trajectory with the time-reversed one. Statistics over trajectories. Fluctuation relation for discrete-time stochastic processes. Jarzinsky and Crooks relations.
Lecture 5: Examples of N-body distributions in stationary nonequilibrium states
One-dimensional lattice particle models, Zero-Range Process, Asymmetric Simple Exclusion Process. Matrix Product Ansatz solution.
Tapping dynamics for granular matter: Edwards postulate for the N-body distribution.
Approximate N-body distribution for interacting active particles with random self-propulsion forces.
Lecture 6: Effective description in terms of one-body problem
Dynamics with persistent interactions, approximation in terms of a non-linear Fokker-Planck equation with a self-consistent force field.
Collisional dynamics in the dilute regime, kinetic theory for the one-body distribution.
Principle of the derivation of continuum equations for the slow modes.
examen écrit 3h
Advanced soft condensed matter
Hélène Delanoë-Ayari
Kirsten Martens
Hélène Delanoë-Ayari
Kirsten Martens
Nicolas Bain
Standard M1 soft-matter/condensed-matter background (statistical physics, fluid mechanics, elasticity), e.g. the ENS de Lyon L3 course on rheology, surface tension and wetting, and the M1 course on polymers and complex fluids. No other specific prerequisite.
This course gives an in-depth, unified view of soft matter physics, in and out of equilibrium, through six topics: suspensions, dense/jammed materials, polymer and biological networks, active suspensions, cellular tissues, and active solids/gels. Each topic starts from a concrete physical problem and combines theory, simulation and experiment. By the end of the course, students will be able to build minimal statistical-physics and hydrodynamic models for passive and active soft matter, and to critically read and present a research article in the field.
Part I — Passive soft matter:
(1) Suspensions — microhydrodynamics, Stokes flow, Brownian motion and statistical description;
(2) Dense and jammed systems — concentrated suspensions, emulsions, foams and granular materials, yield-stress rheology (Bingham, Herschel–Bulkley), elastoplastic and soft-glassy-rheology models;
(3) Polymer and biological networks — polymer elasticity, gelation and sol–gel transition, rubber elasticity, swelling (Flory–Rehner), viscoelasticity, fracture and toughening of gels.
Part II — Active soft matter:
(4) Active suspensions — microswimmer hydrodynamics, pushers/pullers, kinetic theory, active stress and rheology, motility-induced phase separation (MIPS);
(5) From foams to tissues — vertex model, cell shape and rigidity transition, T1 rearrangements;
(6) Active solids and gels — active polar/nematic gel theory, active poroelasticity, spontaneous flow, oscillations and buckling instabilities.
Each lecture is paired with a tutorial session and a research article used as the basis of the final oral exam.
Continuous assessment through tutorial preparation, plus a final assessment based on a short written report and a 30-minute oral presentation of a research article introduced during the course.
M. Doi, Soft Matter Physics (Oxford University Press); P.-G. de Gennes, Scaling Concepts in Polymer Physics; M. C. Marchetti et al., “Hydrodynamics of soft active matter,” Rev. Mod. Phys. 85, 1143 (2013); selected research articles distributed during the course, e.g. Park et al., Nat. Mater. 14, 1040 (2015); Ideses et al., Nat. Commun. 9, 2461 (2018).
Advanced electromagnetism and ultrafast optics
Eric Constant
E. Constant
S. Skupin
Ce cours présente des concepts avancés de l'électromagnétisme et en particulier les interactions non linéaires entre la lumière et la matière.
Ces effets non linéaires interviennent lorsqu'une radiation intense se propage dans un milieu et sont particulièrement importants puisqu'ils peuvent modifier la lumière et en retour ses interactions avec la matière. Ils permettent, par exemple, de manipuler la lumière en créant de nouvelles fréquences, en modifiant sa polarisation ou son front d'onde, sa direction de propagation et meme de sonder la matière aux niveaux dynamique et structurel. Ce cours introduira le domaine de l'optique ultrarapide (génération d'impulsions ultracourtes, propagation, amplification) qui permet d'obtenir de forts éclairements et d'induire des effets très non linéaires (effets paramétriques, automodulation de phase, ionisation par effet tunnel, filamentation, génération d'harmoniques d'ordres élevés etc) que l'on peut contrôler et utiliser. Ce domaine est en forte expansion en recherche et dans l'industrie et a récemment donné lieu à plusieurs prix Nobel. Les concepts présentés seront appliqués à des domaines de recherche actuels comme la physique attoseconde (1 as = 10^-18 s) qui permet de générer des impulsions lumineuses extremement courtes, d'étudier des dynamiques dans la matière avec une très haute résolution temporelle ou même de visualiser des fonctions d'ondes par tomographie moléculaire.
Dynamics of Planetary Interiors
Stéphane Labrosse
Stéphane Labrosse
Chloé Michaut
Thierry Alboussière
Bonne connaissance de la physique classique (mécanique des milieux continus, mécanique des fluides, thermodynamique, électromagnétisme).
L'intérieur de la Terre est composé d'un manteau rocheux proche de sa température de fusion, et d'un noyau dont la partie externe est un océan profond de métal liquide. Ces enveloppes du globe restent inaccessibles aux observations directes. Leurs dynamiques sont pourtant à l'origine de phénomènes naturels majeurs : les tremblements de Terre, les volcans, la dérive des continents, la génération du champ magnétique, les variations de la durée du jour. Il s'agit dans cette unité d'enseignement d'acquérir les fondamentaux de la physique permettant de décrire la dynamique du manteau et du noyau terrestre, et de manipuler les modèles pour comprendre les observations géophysiques de premier ordre et proposer des scénarii d'évolution à long terme des planètes.
Ce cours utilise une pédagogie par projet. Il s'agira de mener un projet de modélisation en géophysique interne ou planétologie afin de répondre à une question scientifique. Le projet est construit de A à Z par l'étudiant avec l'équipe pédagogique en soutien. La première séance fixe le cadre organisationnel et scientifique avec quelques bases et les enseignants proposent quelques idées de projets. Les séances qui suivront serviront à accompagner les étudiants dans l'avancée de leur projet, que ce soit sur les concepts, les expériences/calculs ou l'acquisition d'outils techniques. L’UE est évaluée par un rapport et une soutenance début janvier. L’accent est mis sur la démarche scientifique plutôt que sur les résultats, forcément limités sur une courte durée.
Rapport de projet (50%) et soutenance orale (50%)
Experimental project
Stéphane Santucci
All projects are supervised by researchers and professors from ENS de Lyon or UCBL
The experimental projects are supervised by researchers and professors from ENS de Lyon and UCBL. Students who want to take this course have to find a mentor willing to supervise and host a 48h experimental, or numerical, project in their Lab (48h is the minimal time you should be spending in the lab working on your project, eg. 12x4h, or 6x8h). Some examples of projetcs from previous years are: Construction of optical tweezers, characterization of time-reversal mirrors, liquids assembled from self-propelled particles, fracture & friction experiments, ...
Poster presentation
Projet numérique
Ralf Everaers (Physique), Agilio Padua (Chimie)
Elham Ghobadpour
Python
The module is composed of two parts:
- 24h of practical exercises (TP) introducing advanced tools of Scientific Software Development during S3A.
- Individual computational projects supervised by researchers and professors from ENS de Lyon and UCBL during S3, which further develop an aspect of a computational module of the Master: Students have to find a mentor willing to supervise and host a 24h computational project in their Lab (24h is the minimal time you should be spending with your supervisor working on your project, eg. 6x4h, or 3x8h).
- Acquire skills and a culture of best practices in Scientific Software Development
- Train in the framework of a small and individually supervised computational project in a scientific domain of the student's choice
In time to be able to apply these techniques in a computational MSc/PhD research project.
24h of practical exercises (TP) introducing advanced tools of Scientific Software Development:
- Shell scripts and Python notebooks as glue code
- Modular, reusable software design
- Effective collaborative development with multiple co-authors
- Version control and release cycles
- Automated testing frameworks
- Structured documentation
- Management of open source scientific packages
- Continuous integration & deployment
- Conversational development
- Systematic debugging
- Mixing programming languages
We expect a ten-page long report summarizing the physics concept required to understand the simulations, a clear presentation of the numerical setup, and of the main results.
Biophysics
Fabien Montel (Laboratoire de Physique, ENS de Lyon)
F. Montel
J. Derr
A.-F. Bitbol
Une cellule fonctionne avec de faibles nombres de molécules et des énergies comparables aux énergies thermiques ; comment peut-elle avoir un comportement déterministe dans ces conditions ? Comment la dynamique des tissus émerge du comportement des cellules individuelles ? Les outils physiques basés sur des concepts de matière molle, de physique statistique et de mécanique des milieux continus permettront d’analyser comment s’auto-organisent les structures du vivant des échelles subcellulaires (nanométriques) aux échelles des tissus (centimétriques). Nous verrons en retour comment les objets biologiques génèrent de nouvelles problématiques de Physique et conduisent au développement de méthodes expérimentales et théoriques pour les traiter.
- Appréhender et maîtriser les différents outils théoriques permettant de comprendre le monde vivant de l'échelle moléculaire à celle de l'individu
- Manipuler des données brutes issues d'expériences de biophysique pour intégrer les spécificités des données rencontrés issus du monde vivant (variabilités intrinsèques, corrélations, dynamique hors équilibre, ...)
1. Machines Moléculaires :
-Les moteurs moléculaires : extraire un mouvement dirigé à partir du bruit thermique.
-Les pores biologiques : canaux ioniques (modèle d'Hodgkin–Huxley), translocon (ratchet brownien), pore nucléaire (sélectivité et directionnalité), porines (séquençage de l'ADN).
2. Mécanique des plantes :
-Qu'est-ce que la croissance des plantes ?
-Processus de régulation et instabilités dynamiques
-Mouvements végétaux, mécanique et morphoélasticité
-Aspect microscopique de la formation des motifs : Auxine et phyllotaxie
3. Evolution
- Modélisation de l'évolution d'une population bien mélangée
- Evolution d'une population bien mélangée : interprétation
- Au-delà de la population bien mélangée
- L'évolution moléculaire
Phase transitions and critical phenomena
Léonie Canet
L. Canet
Mandatory: statistical physics (L3)
Recommended: phase transitions (M1), non-equilibrium statistical physics (M2), quantum field theory (M2)
Phase transitions and critical phenomena are ubiquitous in physics, and characterised by remarkable properties such as scale invariance and universality. Their most striking feature is the emergence of anomalous critical exponents, not conforming to dimensional analysis. Landau’s mean field theory provides a deep theoretical understanding of the role of symmetries, and symmetry breaking, in the classification of phases and transitions separating them. Yet it cannot account for the existence of anomalous exponents, which has remained for long an unsoluble mystery. Their origin lies in the effects of fluctuations and correlations, and properly treating them has required to profoundly rethink usual approaches and to invent new concepts, which yielded the development of the renormalisation group. This constitutes one of the main successes of statistical physics in the second half of the XXth century, owing the Nobel prize to K. Wilson in 1982. This course reviews the phenomenology of phase transitions and critical phenomena, including applications in quantum and non-equilibrium systems, and the theoretical tools to describe them, from mean-field and scaling theories, to the renormalisation group.
1. Introduction: phenomenology of phase transitions, quantum phase transitions and non-equilibrium phase transitions
2. The Ising model : transfer matrix, spontaneous symmetry breaking, Mermin-Wagner theorem
3. Mean-field theory: variational approach, Ginzburg-Landau theory, Ginzburg-Landau criterion for the fluctuations
3. Phenomenological description of scale invariance : scaling forms and scaling laws
4. Real-space renormalization: Block spins and renormalization group, fixed points and critical exponents, renormalization of the 2D Ising model
5. Momentum-space renormalization: Wilson, Polchinski and Wetterich equations, equilibrium and non-equilibrium formalism.
Written exam
K. Huang, Statistical Mechanics, Wiley second edition
N. Goldenfeld, Lectures on Phase Transitions and the Renormalization Group, Addison & Wesley
J. Cardy, Scaling and Renormalization in Physics, Cambridge University Press
J.M. Yeomans, Statistical Mechanics and Phase Transitions, Oxford Science Publication
P. Chaikin and T. Lubensky, Principles of Condensed Matter Physics, Cambridge University Press
M. Le Bellac, Des Phénomènes critiques aux champs de jauges, CNRS edition, EDP Science
Particle physics
Imad Laktineh
Imad Laktineh
Maxime Gouzevitch
Nicolas Chanon
Introduction à la physique des particules, Mécanique analytique, Théorie Classique des champs (opt.)
Ce cours présente la physique des particules élémentaires : leurs propriétés, leurs interactions, et les moyens de les détecter. Ce cours présente également quelques outils d’analyse de données. Son objectif est de permettre à un étudiant de comprendre un article scientifique traitant de la physique des particules expérimentale, et de poursuivre en thèse dans ce domaine s’il le souhaite.
Introduction / outils théoriques
Cinématique, règles de Feynman
QED
Amplitudes d’hélicité, Renormalisation, Effets NLO
Structure du proton
Fonctions de structure, Modèle des partons
Interaction faible
Courants chargés, structure chirale, courant neutres
Physique de la saveur
Matrice CKM, violation de CP
Modèle standard
Unification électrofaible, Higgs
Physique des neutrinos
Oscillation de neutrinos, masse des neutrinos
Astrophysique et cosmologie
Multi-messagers, ondes gravitationnelles (exp.)
Outils et méthodes
Détection
Interaction particule/Matière, trajectographes, calorimètre, etc..
Outils d’analyse
Probabilité, Statistique
Ecrit
Advanced aspects of symmetries
François Gières
F. Gières
F. Delduc
Basic knowledge of geometry, group theory and quantum field theories
This course provides a basic introduction to conformal symmetry and supersymmetry, both of which play an important role in modern physical theories. Conformal transformations in arbitrary dimensions are characterised by leaving the space-time metric invariant up to a (local) scaling factor. They appear in a vast spectrum of physical applications, ranging from condensed matter to string theory and modern particle physics. Supersymmetry relates bosonic and fermionic fields to each other. While not yet directly observed at the energies of current collider experiments like the LHC, supersymmetry plays an important role in extending the standard model and in approaching important fundamental questions of modern high energy physics. This course starts with a mathematical description of both symmetries using a group theoretic language and explores their applications to field theories in various dimensions.
Part 1: Conformal Symmetry
- the conformal group in arbitrary dimensions
- correlation functions in conformal field theories
- two-dimensional conformal theories and the Virasoro algebra
Part 2: Supersymmetry
- Coleman-Mandula theorem and superalgebras
- superspaces
- representation theory: supermultiplets
- supersymmetric field theories
Advanced fluid mechanics and turbulence
Corentin Herbert
C. Herbert
R. Volk
Connaissances de base en mécanique des fluides.
Le cours traite des phénomènes non-linéaires et hors équilibre qui dominent les écoulements des fluides lorsque le nombre de Reynolds devient grand devant l'unité : c'est la turbulence des fluides pleinement développée.
Le cours est proposé en étroite collaboration par deux physiciens de la turbulence. Il abordera différents types d'écoulements, depuis la situation idéalisée de turbulence homogène et isotrope à laquelle les théories de Kolmogorov apportent un socle théorique solide, jusqu'aux écoulements de laboratoire et naturels permettant d'appréhender, par exemple, des situations géophysiques de manière réaliste. Pour cela, il introduira les techniques expérimentales, numériques et théoriques qui ont été développées afin d'étudier ces fluides turbulents, et ouvrira sur quelques approches modernes issues de ce domaine actif de la recherche.
1. Introduction à la mécanique des fluides en général et à la turbulence en particulier
Phénoménologie et rappel de l'équation de transport d'impulsion (équations de Navier-Stokes). Présentation de quelques écoulements turbulents traditionnels (Canal, Convection de Rayleigh-Bénard, la turbulence homogène et isotrope). Introduction des échelles caractéristiques de la turbulence.
2. Approches empiriques en turbulence
Méthodes expérimentales (fil chaud et imagerie de particules) et numériques (la simulation numérique directe des équations de Navier-Stokes).
3. Une description probabiliste de la turbulence
Quelques notions sur les champs aléatoires: symétries, spectres de puissance, fonctions de corrélation. Définition de la turbulence homogène et isotrope.
4. Transport turbulent de quantité de mouvement et de chaleur
Décomposition et tenseur de Reynolds. Viscosité turbulente et modèle de longueur de mélange. Application au cas du canal. Dynamique de la température et nombre de Richardson.
5. Bilan d'énergie
Exemples de la convection de Rayleigh-Bénard et des écoulement cisaillés avec parois. Définition de la couche limite (laminaire et turbulente).
6. Turbulence homogène et isotrope
Théories de Kolmogorov. Lois de répartition spectrale de l'énergie, la cascade d'énergie vers les petites échelles. Phénomènes de transport d'énergie à travers les échelles : Relation de Kármán–Howarth et approches analytiques. Étude et modélisation du phénomène d'intermittence. Le mécanisme d'étirement de la vorticité. Invariance d'échelle – Fractalité et Multifractalité. Ouverture sur une approche stochastique de la turbulence.
Bibliographie
A first cours in turbulence, Tennekes and Lumley, MIT Press.
Turbulent Flows, S. Pope, CUP.
Turbulence, U. Frisch, CUP.
Ecrit
Quantum information and quantum technologies
Benjamin Huard
B. Huard
Required: Introductory quantum mechanics (postulates, Dirac notation, harmonic oscillator, spin 1/2, time-dependent perturbation theory) and elementary statistics.
Recommended: Quantum optics, Photons and atoms
This course bridges the formalism of open quantum systems and quantum information with the experimental reality of today's quantum technologies. Starting from density matrices and decoherence, it builds up measurement theory, continuous-variable physics, quantum-limited amplification and detection, quantum metrology, quantum error correction, and quantum advantage in computing. Each lecture connects the formalism to a physical platform, among superconducting circuits, neutral atoms, trapped ions, photonics, spin qubits, and mechanical oscillators.
Week 1 — Open quantum systems. Density matrices, partial trace, purification, entropy. The real qubit, T1, T2, thermal occupation, two-level-system defects. Quantum channels, Kraus operators, the Lindblad master equation.
Week 2 — Measurement and phase space. POVMs, stochastic master equation, quantum trajectories, feedback, feedforward, heralding. Phase-space representations, Wigner, Husimi, Glauber–Sudarshan, characteristic functions, Gaussian states.
Week 3 — Linear systems, amplifiers, detectors. Coupled linear systems, cooperativity, mediated coupling, adiabatic elimination, reservoir engineering. Parametric oscillators and amplifiers, quantum limits on amplification, photon counting, homodyne and heterodyne detection, efficiency, added noise, noise temperature, mode matching.
Week 4 — Quantum metrology. Standard quantum limit, single- and two-mode squeezing, SU(1,1) interferometry, squeezed light in gravitational-wave detectors. Fisher information, Cramér–Rao bounds, atomic clocks, quantum advantage in sensing.
Week 5 — Resources and error correction. Entanglement, discord, contextuality, magic, state of the art in many-body entanglement and quantum simulation. Quantum error correction, key theorems, surface code, bosonic codes, quantum LDPC codes, cryogenics and scaling bottlenecks across platforms.
Week 6 — Quantum computing. Key quantum algorithms, quantum advantage in computing, out-of-time-order correlators as a path to practical quantum advantage.
2 hour-long written exam. 45 minutes oral exam in second session if needed.
Nielsen & Chuang, Quantum Computation and Quantum Information (Cambridge).
Haroche & Raimond, Exploring the Quantum (Oxford).
Wiseman & Milburn, Quantum Measurement and Control (Cambridge).
Jordan & Siddiqi, Quantum Measurement (Cambridge).
Degiovanni et al., Physique Quantique, Information et calcul (in French, EDP Sciences)
Clerk et al., Rev. Mod. Phys. 82, 1155 (2010).
Computational Quantum Physics
Fabio Mezzacapo
Fabio Mezzacapo
Nick Giovanoudis
The quantum many-body problem represents one of the biggest scientific challenges of modern science, due to the exponential growth of the complexity of quantum systems with their size. This course aims at introducing some of the most successful methods for the numerical simulation of quantum many-body systems -- from condensed matter and statistical physics to quantum chemistry.
1) Introduction to the complexity of the quantum many-body problem (1h);
2) Exact diagonalization and its limitations (3h);
3) Variational approaches; the Monte Carlo method, and variational Monte Carlo for physics and chemistry (4h);
4) Improving on the variational approach: diffusion Monte Carlo, fixed-node approximation for strongly interacting fermions (4h);
5) Density-matrix approaches and tensor-network Ansätze for lattice quantum systems and beyond (4h);
6) Path-integral Monte Carlo methods for systems in continuous space: applications to quantum fluids and solids (4h);
7) Path-integral Monte Carlo methods (and variants) for systems on lattice: applications to condensed matter, statistical physics, etc. (4h).
The TD sessions will be hands-on, aimed at programming simple instances of some of the methods presented in the course.
The exam will be based on a report (written or oral) of either a work in the recent literature, or of an original coding project chosen by the students (either as individuals, or in two-student teams).
Dynamics of Planetary Interiors
Stéphane Labrosse
Stéphane Labrosse
Chloé Michaut
Thierry Alboussière
Bonne connaissance de la physique classique (mécanique des milieux continus, mécanique des fluides, thermodynamique, électromagnétisme).
L'intérieur de la Terre est composé d'un manteau rocheux proche de sa température de fusion, et d'un noyau dont la partie externe est un océan profond de métal liquide. Ces enveloppes du globe restent inaccessibles aux observations directes. Leurs dynamiques sont pourtant à l'origine de phénomènes naturels majeurs : les tremblements de Terre, les volcans, la dérive des continents, la génération du champ magnétique, les variations de la durée du jour. Il s'agit dans cette unité d'enseignement d'acquérir les fondamentaux de la physique permettant de décrire la dynamique du manteau et du noyau terrestre, et de manipuler les modèles pour comprendre les observations géophysiques de premier ordre et proposer des scénarii d'évolution à long terme des planètes.
Ce cours utilise une pédagogie par projet. Il s'agira de mener un projet de modélisation en géophysique interne ou planétologie afin de répondre à une question scientifique. Le projet est construit de A à Z par l'étudiant avec l'équipe pédagogique en soutien. La première séance fixe le cadre organisationnel et scientifique avec quelques bases et les enseignants proposent quelques idées de projets. Les séances qui suivront serviront à accompagner les étudiants dans l'avancée de leur projet, que ce soit sur les concepts, les expériences/calculs ou l'acquisition d'outils techniques. L’UE est évaluée par un rapport et une soutenance début janvier. L’accent est mis sur la démarche scientifique plutôt que sur les résultats, forcément limités sur une courte durée.
Rapport de projet (50%) et soutenance orale (50%)
Experimental project
Stéphane Santucci
All projects are supervised by researchers and professors from ENS de Lyon or UCBL
The experimental projects are supervised by researchers and professors from ENS de Lyon and UCBL. Students who want to take this course have to find a mentor willing to supervise and host a 48h experimental, or numerical, project in their Lab (48h is the minimal time you should be spending in the lab working on your project, eg. 12x4h, or 6x8h). Some examples of projetcs from previous years are: Construction of optical tweezers, characterization of time-reversal mirrors, liquids assembled from self-propelled particles, fracture & friction experiments, ...
Poster presentation
Projet numérique
Ralf Everaers (Physique), Agilio Padua (Chimie)
Elham Ghobadpour
Python
The module is composed of two parts:
- 24h of practical exercises (TP) introducing advanced tools of Scientific Software Development during S3A.
- Individual computational projects supervised by researchers and professors from ENS de Lyon and UCBL during S3, which further develop an aspect of a computational module of the Master: Students have to find a mentor willing to supervise and host a 24h computational project in their Lab (24h is the minimal time you should be spending with your supervisor working on your project, eg. 6x4h, or 3x8h).
- Acquire skills and a culture of best practices in Scientific Software Development
- Train in the framework of a small and individually supervised computational project in a scientific domain of the student's choice
In time to be able to apply these techniques in a computational MSc/PhD research project.
24h of practical exercises (TP) introducing advanced tools of Scientific Software Development:
- Shell scripts and Python notebooks as glue code
- Modular, reusable software design
- Effective collaborative development with multiple co-authors
- Version control and release cycles
- Automated testing frameworks
- Structured documentation
- Management of open source scientific packages
- Continuous integration & deployment
- Conversational development
- Systematic debugging
- Mixing programming languages
We expect a ten-page long report summarizing the physics concept required to understand the simulations, a clear presentation of the numerical setup, and of the main results.
Nuclear and Astro-nuclear Physics
Dany Davesne
Danys Davesne
Prérequis indispensables : mécanique quantique, physique statistique
Prérequis souhaités : problème à N corps, théorie quantique des champs, transitions de phase
Les nucléons interagissent via l’interaction forte pour former les presque 3000 noyaux connus sur Terre, noyaux qui peuvent contenir jusqu’à plusieurs centaines de constituants. Les expériences actuelles sondent ces noyaux dans les situations les plus extrêmes et les théories effectives modernes peinent à reproduire l’ensemble des données. Enfin, même si les nucléons sont constitués de particules plus élémentaires (quarks et gluons), ils continuent d’être des degrés de liberté pertinents pour décrire des aspects importants des phénomènes découverts très récemment (ondes gravitationnelles). Dans ce cours, nous explorerons différents aspects de l’interaction nucléaire dans des systèmes aussi bien infinis (étoiles à neutrons) que finis en utilisant le formalisme quantique du problème à N corps et les approches de physique statistique de champ moyen. De plus, nous verrons qu’au-delà de l’interaction elle-même, le caractère fermionique des nucléons impose dans les systèmes nucléaires des comportements propres aux fermions (appariement dans les noyaux ou superfluidité des étoiles à neutrons) et permet d’utiliser la théorie des liquides de Fermi pour décrire certaines propriétés. Enfin, nous aborderons quelques aspects de thermodynamique relativiste et de phénomènes dépendant du temps (hydrodynamique relativiste et/ou superfluide).
Integrable models
Karol Kozłowski
Karol Kozłowski
Les systèmes intégrables constituent une classe particulière de modèles physiques pour lesquels il est possible de calculer exactement, sans aucune approximation, un grand nombre de quantités d’intérêts à la physique sous-jacente: vecteurs et valeurs propres d'un Hamiltonien quantique à N-corps, température de transition de phase dans un modèles de physique statistiques, et plus généralement, les fonctions de corrélations. Le modèle d'Ising bi-dimensionnel constitue le plus célèbre exemple de modèle intégrable. Sa résolution exacte (calcul de sont énergie libre à toute température ainsi que de plusieurs de ses fonctions de corrélations) a permis de dégager les mécanismes à la racine de l'apparition d'une transition de phase et de proposer une théorie unifié d'icelle, basée sur l'étude du groupe de renormalisation. Ce cours constitue une introductions aux méthodes modernes en intégrabilité. Les modèles à six-sommets et de la chaîne XXZ de spin 1/2 serviront d'exemples pour familiariser avec l'Ansatz de Bethe algébrique, sa variante en coordonnées ainsi qu'à la caractérisation du spectre de ces modèles via la méthode des équations intégrales non-linéaires.
Fournir une introduction à l'intégrabilité, dont les intérêts vont de la mécanique statistique à l'optique quantique et de la matière condensée à certaines théories des champs de jauge et de cordes et à la correspondance AdS/CFT. Introduire en particulier les modèles intégrables quantiques 1D et l'intégrabilité classique de certaines théories des champs intégrables 2D.
Ecrit
Atmospheric and Oceanic Fluid Dynamics
Corentin Herbert
- Fluid Dynamics (M1)
- Climate and the Energy Transition (M1)
- Nonlinear physics and instabilities (M2)
- Advanced fluid mechanics and turbulence (M2)
I recommend to follow the "Physics for Climate" course at the same time.
This course is an introduction to geophysical fluid dynamics, focusing on the large-scale atmospheric and oceanic circulation.
The main goals are to introduce the equations describing these flows, to study the main phenomena governing atmospheric and oceanic dynamics, and to describe their role in the climate system.
1. Introduction to the General Circulation of the Atmosphere and Ocean
2. Fundamental Equations and Phenomena
- Boussinesq approximation, primitive equations, shallow water equations, quasi-geostrophic approximation
- Rossby waves, gravity waves, barotropic instability
3. Atmospheric dynamics
- baroclinic instability and mid-latitude dynamics
- tropical dynamics: Hadley cell, convection and tropical waves
4. Oceanic dynamics
- wind-driven circulation
- thermohaline circulation
5. Predictability
Written exam.
- Atmosphere, Ocean, and Climate Dynamics, J. Marshall and R. Plumb, Academic Press.
- Atmospheric and Oceanic Fluid Dynamics, G. Vallis, Cambridge University Press.
- Fundamentals of Geophysical Fluid DYnamics, J. McWilliams, Cambridge University Press.
- Atmospheric Modeling, Data Assimilation and Predictability, E. Kalnay, Cambridge University Press.
Introduction to String Theory
David Andriot
David Andriot
Interacting quantum fields (M2),
General Relativity and Cosmolgy M2
Advanced Aspects of Symmetries (M2)
Beyond a first overview of superstring theories, the course aims at getting a glimpse of the classical and quantum bosonic string, deriving in particular the critical spacetime dimension, the string spectrum, and the beta-functionals. We then make the connection to supergravity theories and show how to derive a 4-dimensional effective theory.
I. Overview: What is string theory?
II. Classical (bosonic) string
III. Quantization of bosonic string
IV. Compactification
Oral exam
M. Green, J. Schwarz, E. Witten, Superstring Theory Vol. 1, Cambridge University Press, 1988.
Basic Concepts of String Theory, R. Blumenhagen , D. Lüst , S. Theisen, Springer, 2013.
Physics for climate
Irena Vankova
Irena Vankova
General knowledge of physics. I also recommend to follow the "Atmospheric and Oceanic Fluid Dynamics" course at the same time, though not strictly required.
This course aims to provide a physical foundation for climate science. We will explore the core physical principles governing Earth’s climate system by examining the individual climate components (atmosphere, ocean, sea ice, and ice sheets) and their interactions. A particular attention will be paid to observational systems and methods - each week there will be a practical session where students will get hands-on experience working with climate datasets and simple numerical models designed to teach them to analyze and interpret climate data and model outputs. This year, there will be a particular focus on polar climate interactions.
1) Atmosphere: Earth’s energy balance, radiative transfer, greenhouse effect, emissions and climate projection scenarios, etc.
2) Ocean: Ocean water mass structure and distribution, horizontal circulation, meridional overturning, ocean heat storage and vertical mixing, global ocean monitoring, etc.
3) Sea ice: Formation and properties, ice-albedo feedback, dense water formation, observed changes and future projections, human and geopolitical impacts, etc.
4) Ice sheets: Polar ice sheets in the coupled climate system, ice-sheet instabilities, satellite monitoring of ice sheets, sea-level change, etc.
5) Climate: Climate variability and dynamics, modes of natural variability, detection of anthropogenic signals, climate models, etc.
Assignments from weekly practical sessions will form a substantial contribution to the final grade, as well as a final presentation based on a research paper or a numerical/data project.
There is no required text book. Relevant materials for each topic will be made available to the students at the time of the course.
Advanced mechanics and elasticity
Elsa Bayart
E. Bayart
Undergraduate course on continuum mechanics and elastic media
Elastic solids can deform homogeneously when submitted to stresses, but elastic energy can also be focused via non-linear processes, even when the material is described with a linearly elastic constitutive law: wrinkles, folds, fracture. In this course, we will demonstrate how geometrical constraints yield to ordered and disordered patterns in elastic media under mechanical loading. The course will cover a wide spectrum of approaches from theoretical descriptions to applications such as biological growth, foldable structures, fragmentation, geophysical patterns, earthquakes.
I.- Introduction to elasticity of continuous media
II.- Thin elastic plates
II.1.- Introduction: differential geometry of a surface, equations
II.2.- Buckling: roll-like patterns, growth-induced patterns
II.3.- Singularities: focussing of energy around points (developable cones) and lines (stretching ridges)
II.4.- Patterns from singularities and foldable structures
III.- Fracture Mechanics
III.1.- Linear Elastic Fracture Mechanics
III.2.- Quasi-static crack propagation: instabilities and crack-induced patterns
III.3.- Fast fracture: dynamics, instabilities.
III.4.- Application to friction
Presentation of a research article
Large deviation theory and its main applications in physics
Vivien Lecomte
Physique statistique (L3). Suggéré : Physique statistique des processus irréversibles (M2)
Large deviation theory describes rare fluctuations beyond the central limit theorem. For twenty years, this theory progressively became the main language of contemporary statistical mechanics. Its theoretical framework also became one of the basic tools of theoretical and mathematical physics besides statistical physics, with applications in field theory, condensed matter, fluid mechanics, turbulence, and also in a number of other domains of physics, theoretical chemistry or theoretical biology.
The aim of these lectures will be to give an elementary introduction to large deviation theory, aimed at studying its main physical application, at a level appropriate for graduating physicists. We will systematically motivate each chapter by relevant physical phenomena and concepts, before tintroducing the relevant formalism and theoretical tools. The main aim will be to make the students ready for original applications of their own, in physics or related sciences. The required level in theoretical physics will be a rather elementary graduate one. We will for instance deal with the following applications:
1. The relation between large deviation theory and thermodynamical potentials
2. Computation of free energy and entropy functions for some basic problems in statistical physics
3. The relation between large deviation theory and thermodynamical potentials
4. Computation of free energy and entropy functions for some basic problems in statistical physics
5. Gallavoti, Cohen and Evans fluctuation theorems, Crooks and Jarzynski inequality and fluctuation theorem, some of the major developments of statistical mechanics basis during the last two decades
6. The relation between kinetic theory, large deviation theory, and the irreversibility paradox
7. The use of large deviation theory for dynamical system theory (finite time Lyapunov exponents)
8. Large deviation theory and disordered systems
9. propagation, transport) and turbulence (self-organization, turbulent transport)
10. The study of multistability phenomena in a multitude of physical applications (magnetic systems, physical chemistry, polymers, turbulence, and so on)
11. Application of large deviation theory for a model of Jupiter's Great Red Spot, and several applications to climate dynamics.)
Introduction to Gravitational Wave Physics
Marc Geiller
Marc Geiller
At least an introductory course to General Relativity and Field Theory, and preferably also an advanced course on General Relativity and/or Cosmology (e.g. M2 level).
- 1) Acquire a general knowledge of the field of gravitational wave physics
2) Understand sources of gravitational waves and their production
3) Understand the detection of gravitational waves
4) Acquire an overview of open issues and future challenges
The detection of the Gravitational Waves (GW) emitted by a black holes binary on September 14th 2015 has opened a new window on the Universe. The observation of the kilonova explosion on August 17th 2017 through all different electromagnetic, particle and indeed, gravitational probes is worldwide recognized as the first example of Multimessenger Astronomy.
France is actively contributing to the project Virgo that is going through a large amelioration of the interferometer regarding laser, optics and quantum techniques. This experimental effort will lead to the new detector called Advanced Virgo +. At the same time the collaboration called Einstein Telescope is preparing the design of the third generation of GW detector in Europe, a generation that will detect GW emitted from all the visible Universe.
GW physics is a rapidly expanding new field and scientists are living in a very similar situation as the one at the dawn of particle physics.
As always when a new field of physics is emerging there is a difficulty to follow what’s happening: fundamental properties of GW, details of their detectors, specific vocabulary, are not in the normal background of a physics student.
This introductory course has been thought to make GW physics more approachable. We are going to familiarize with fundamental properties of GW, description of the GW source, description and status of the detector at the moment of detection, significance of the detection. The last part of the course will be focused on the future developments in the field.
The course is meant for experimental physicists. Although the parts dedicated to the properties of GW, their sources and their effects on the detectors constitute 70% of the
subjects, the approach used here is to show how to use GW as a probe to study the Universe and why this probe is complementary to the electromagnetic one.
- The nature of GW and its historical evolution
- Sources of GW
- Specific characteristics of GW: what we can read from the GW signal
- The interferometric detectors of GW
- Some challenges in the design of GW detectors
- The future of GW Astronomy
Written exam
Active Matter
Cécile Cottin-Bizonne
Short written on a recent research article
Active matter encompasses a broad range of systems ranging from animal groups to shaken grains, to motile colloids to cell tissues and bacteria suspensions. We will introduce some generic concepts and tools borrowed from soft condensed matter and statistical physics to account for the large-scale properties of these systems driven out of thermal equilibrium at the level of the elementary units.
The course will both cover well established results and ongoing developments in the field. The outline will be adjusted accordingly.
1- Introduction: what is active matter?
2- Self propelled bodies and persistent random walkers: statistics of active-particle trajectories.
2- Active systems in a background fluid: description of microswimmers.
3- Active Matter thermodynamics: we will address questions such as, can we a define a temperature, a pressure for those systems?
4- Continuum description of active matter.
Quantum transport and mescoscopic physics
P. Glidic
P. Glidic
Mécanique quantique avancée, Matière condensée, Mécanique statistique et thermodynamique, Électrodynamique et théorie classique des champs
This course introduces the essential concepts and methods of mesoscopic physics and quantum transport. It starts from classical transport and the relevant characteristic length and energy scales, before introducing the Landauer formalism and the quantization of conductance. We will describe transport using scattering matrices and Green's functions, and then examine the role of disorder, quantum interference, weak localization, and conductance fluctuations. An introduction to interaction effects, in particular Coulomb blockade, will allow us to move beyond the independent-particle picture. The course concludes with an overview of contemporary developments, including two-dimensional materials, topological systems, superconducting hybrids, and nonequilibrium transport.
I. From Classical to Mesoscopic Transport
II. Ballistic Quantum Transport and the Landauer Formalism
III. Disorder and Quantum Interference
IV. Quantum Transport and Interaction Effects
V. Frontiers of Contemporary Quantum Transport
Written Exam
C. W. J. Beenakker and H. van Houten, Mesoscopic Physics: An Introduction.
S. Datta, Electronic Transport in Mesoscopic Systems, Cambridge University Press (1995).
T. Ihn, Semiconductor Nanostructures: Quantum States and Electronic Transport, Oxford University Press (2010).
S. Datta, Quantum Transport: Atom to Transistor, Cambridge University Press (2005).
Y. Imry and R. Landauer, Introduction to Mesoscopic Physics, Oxford University Press (2002).
Quantum systems far from equilibrium
Tommaso Roscilde, Jean-Marie Stéphan
Tommaso Roscilde, Jean-Marie Stéphan
Attendance and reading of provided research articles
Advanced astrophysics
Guillaume Laibe
Stage de recherche de 6 mois Physique
Le stage de recherche dure au minimum 24 semaines de début février à fin juillet.
Un projet de stage devra être déposé par chaque étudiant.e avant le 15 décembre.
Soutenances des stages : début septembre
Rapport écrit et soutenance orale
Planning
| Réunion de rentrée / Introductory meeting | Monday, August 31st, 10h15, Amphi C |
|---|---|
| Début des cours / Courses begin | Monday, August 31st, 8h |
| 1er Semestre (S3A,B) / First Semester (S3A,B) | From Aug. 31st till Dec. 18th |
|---|---|
| Vacances de la Toussaint / Halloween break (revision week) | From Oct. 19th till Oct. 23rd |
| Vacances de Noël / Christmas holidays | From Dec. 19th till Jan. 3rd |
| 2ème Semestre (S4A,B)/ Second Semester (S4A,B) | From Jan. 4th till Jul. 9th |
|---|---|
| Vacances Hiver / Winter break | N/A |
| Vacances de Printemps / Spring break | N/A |
