Unconventional Ideas in Mathematical Physics
(by Johannes Brödel)
Our current mathematical description of the world has not been built from scratch the way it is: rather there have been quite a number of ideas followed by physicist for decades (if not centuries), which later got forgotten or replaced in favour of different descriptions.
In this proseminar we are going to explore several of these ideas and concepts: what made them appear, what was the goal at the time, which mathematical languages were available and what limitations did exist? What led to their current state and perception and what would be their description and implications in a modern mathematics and physics framework?
While certainly including a historical component, the main focus in each of the talks will be on the underlying mathematical structures and concepts.
Open Questions in Particle Physics and Cosmology
(by Achilleas Lazopoulos)
The elementary particles discovered up to now and their interactions in the microscopic world are described by the Standard Model of particle physics. The Universe and its evolution is to a great degree described by the Lambda-CDM model of Cosmology. Remarkably successful as they are, these two major paradigms of contemporary physics, leave several questions unanswered. In this proseminar we will explore a selection of these open issues, that currently drive research in theoretical physics. In each case an overview of the experimental/observational situation will be examined, but particular focus will be laid on available theoretical explanations that complement or transcend the two "Standard Models”. Topics include dark matter, dark energy, the hierarchy problem, the anomalous magnetic moment of the muon, the masses of neutrina, confinement, inflation, the Hubble constant tension and more.
Theory of many-body quantum systems
(by Atac Imamoglu & Eugene Demler)
This proseminar will cover several theoretical methods and concepts used for describing quantum systems in condensed matter physics, quantum optics, and ultracold atoms. Emphasis will be on nonequilibrium systems. Subjects include Lindblad equation for open systems, Keldysh diagrammatic approach, variational methods. Theoretical techniques will be discussed in connection with specific experimental systems.
