2nd Edition (2010) - Condensed Matter and Two-dimensional Physics | Mathematica Summer School on Theoretical Physics

2nd Edition (2010) - Condensed Matter and Two-dimensional Physics

The second edtition of the Mathematica Summer School on Theoretical Physics was devoted to the topic of Condensed Matter and Two-dimensional physics and will take place in Porto, from the 11th to the 16th July 2010.

The school took place in the Oporto Physics department (click here for directions). Students were lodged in one of two student residences (here or here) from the 10th to the 17th of July. The first day of the school (Sunday) was  devoted to crash courses on the Physics and Mathematica background necessary for the school. The meals took place in the University canteen. The school poster can be downloaded here.

Lecturers:

    - Eduardo Castro (UP and CSIC, PT & ES)
    - Michael Fogler (UCSD, US) 
    - Nikolay Gromov (King's College London, UK)
    - Jason Harris (Wolfram Research)
    - Sean Hartnoll (Harvard University, US)
    - Joao Lopes dos Santos (UP, PT)
    - Vitor Pereira (Boston University, US)
    - Nuno Peres (U. Minho, PT)
    - German Sierra (UAM-CSIC, ES)
    - Pedro Vieira (Perimeter Institute, CA)

What should I expect?

The philosophy of the school is explained in greater detail here.

Why 2D physics in condensed matter?

Two dimensional systems have been at the forefront of Condensed Matter Physics research in recent decades. The physics of High Tc superconductors, with so many unsolved questions after 23 years of intensive efforts, is dominated by the Copper Oxide planes. The parent undoped compounds are 2D antiferromagnetic insulators, well described by Heisenberg model whose physics is  most interesting, precisely in  two dimensions; normal metallic behavior may be absent in 2D, as has been evidenced by the anomalous behavior of High Tc superconductor materials above Tc. Electron systems in 2D and a magnetic field gave rise to a host new  concepts in the field of Quantum Hall Effect: fracionalization of charge and statistics, hierarchical phases, new states of matter characterized by their transport properties in magnetic field, statistics transmutation, etc. More recently,  a new two dimensional system, graphene, a planar hexagonal  lattice of carbon atoms, burst on the scene, displaying amazing mechanical and electrical properties, holding the promise of entirely new and exciting applications, in nanoelectronics, as chemical sensors, as tunable radiation sources, etc. These systems also attracted theorists attention, as the physics is determined by the fact that effective charge carriers are massless relativistic particles, theoretically similar to neutrinos, making graphene an ideal testing ground for previously inaccessible relativistic effects. This  richness of 2D physics provides ample opportunities for relevant and challenging applications of  tool as powerful as Mathematica.