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FYTN13: Symmetries and Group Theory, 7.5 credits

given by the Department of Physics.

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Contents

The general the aim of this course is to give understanding of the importance of symmetries in physics and how these can be described using group theory

The course will cover the following topics:

The definition of a group and a representation
The permutation group and other discrete groups, discrete symmetries in physics such as point groups
Continuous groups (Lie groups), such as O(N), SO(N), U(N), SU(N), in particular SU(2), SU(3) and their importance in particle physics
The Wigner-Eckart's theorem, Clebsch-Gordan coefficients and Young tableaux
Casimir operators, roots, weights and the Cartan subalgebra, classification of Lie algebras with finite dimension
The Lorentz group and the Poincaré group

General information

Semester: spring, odd years
Study period: 1
Level: master
Language: English
Form of teaching: Lectures and exercises
Assessment: Written take-home exam
Grading scale: U-G-VG
Course plan: in English, in Swedish

Course literature

Discrete part:Lecture notes by Ferdi Aryasetiawan
Continuous part: Lecture notes by Hugo Seriodio and Malin Sjödahl. These notes will be frequently updated during the course. Please report typos.
Book: Groups, representations and Physics, 2nd edition: H.F. Jones. From within Lund university, this book can be downloaded here.

Teachers

Ferdi Aryasetiawan, ferdi.aryasetiawan@teorfys.lu.se, phone: 046-222 9089
Teaches the first half of the course about discrete symmetries
Malin Sjödahl, malin.sjodahl@thep.lu.se, phone: 046-22 20 665
Teaches the second half of the course about continuous symmetries

Introductory Meetings

The introduction meeting for 2023 is planned for January 16th 13.15-15.00 in Andromeda.

Schedule

Lectures twice per week and exercise session once per week, preliminary, for 2023, lectures Monday 13-15, Wednesday 13-15, exercises Fridays 10-12. Note that this may change.