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Caltech Course Catalog / 2025-2026 Catalog / Courses 2025-26 / Advanced Topics in Statistical Mechanics

Ph 231 ab - Advanced Topics in Statistical Mechanics

Ph 231 ab

Advanced Topics in Statistical Mechanics

9 units (3-0-6)   |  second, third terms
Prerequisites: Ph 127 or equivalent.

The course covers rigorous results in classical and quantum statistical mechanics of lattice systems. Winter quarter: basic lattice models, existence of the thermodynamic limit, phase transitions at positive temperature, Hohenberg-Mermin-Wagner and Goldstone theorems. Spring quarter: C*-algebraic approach to statistical mechanics, locality and dynamics in quantum systems (Lieb-Robinson bounds), topological invariants of gapped quantum systems at zero temperature, Symmetry Protected Topological Phases. Not offered 2025-26.

Published Date: Aug. 28, 2025