Few-body correlations in many-body systems

Few-body correlations in many-body systems

Course description: Correlations can be defined as deviations from mean-field solutions. We shall first discuss the importance of choosing the approriate degrees of freedom (do not use quarks to describe the protein structure). We begin with two weakly interacting "particles" where each in itself could be a complicated many-body system. Then we consider three interacting particles and discuss the behavior in general and in particular that of Borromean-, Tango- and Efimov states. Dimensionless energy and size scaling relations can be obtained and used to compare systems in different subfields of physics. Our examples are usually halo nuclei and weakly bound molecules. We then use the concepts and methods for describing weakly bound or perhaps even unstable many-body systems where Bose-Einstein condensates is a prominent and illustrative example. We shall formulate transparent stability criteria determined by the correlation properties. Geometric restrictions to one or two dimensions can significantly influence the properties. The course is cross disciplinary by nature. The purpose is to give an elementary understanding of the concepts. The content is strongly related to our recent research and provides also the background for present and future research.

Requirements: Second year quantum mechanics.

Literature: Notes and journal articles.

Structure: Two hours of lectures and two hours of exercise per week.

Lecturer: Aksel S. Jensen

Points/ECTS-credits: 1/5

Semester Spring