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PHYS-F478

Solitons and instantons in quantum field theory

academic year
2025-2026

Course teacher(s)

Michel TYTGAT (Coordinator)

ECTS credits

5

Language(s) of instruction

english, french

Course content

Introduction to solitons and instantons in QFT: 
- domain walls
- strings 
- element of homotopy theory
- magnetic monople
- SU(2) instantons
- time given, coupling to fermions, phenomenological and cosmological applications. 

Objectives (and/or specific learning outcomes)

Introduction to classical solutions in quantum  field theories as met in theoretical physics (also relevant for condensed matter). Introduction to specific analytical and topological methods. Emphasis on gauge symmetries and on relativistic field theories. 
 

Prerequisites and Corequisites

Required and Corequired knowledge and skills

Introductory and, possibly advanced, courses on quantum field theory. To be familiar with non-abelian gauge theories is a plus. 

Teaching methods and learning activities

Black board course, homeworks (to be discussed). 

References, bibliography, and recommended reading

Solitons and Instantons: An Introduction to Solitons and Instantons in Quantum Field Theory: by R. Rajaraman

David Tong Tasi lectures on solitons, https://arxiv.org/abs/hep-th/0509216

Cosmic Strings and Other Topological Defects by Alexander Vilenkin and E. P. S. Shellard

Other information

Contacts

Campus Plaine CP 231, Bureau 2.O6. 217, E-mail : gbarnich@ulb.ac.be, Tel : 02 650 58 01

Campus

Plaine

Evaluation

Method(s) of evaluation

  • Oral examination

Oral examination

Oral examination, on a specific topic chosen by the student. 

Language(s) of evaluation

  • english
  • french

Programmes