Inhalt

[ 261VTHMGTHV20 ] VL Group theory

Versionsauswahl
Workload Education level Study areas Responsible person Hours per week Coordinating university
3 ECTS B3 - Bachelor's programme 3. year Physics Michel Bockstedte 2 hpw Johannes Kepler University Linz
Detailed information
Original study plan Bachelor's programme Technical Physics 2025W
Learning Outcomes
Competences
After successful completion of the course, students are able to explain basic and advanced concepts from the listed areas of group and representation theory. They can apply the respective reasoning and problem-solving methods, and transfer these to specific quantum mechanical systems.

This lecture is methodically complemented by the exercise Gruppentheorie.

Skills Knowledge
Upon completing the course, students learn the following skills. They are able to

  • understand and explain basic concepts and methods of group and representation theory (k1/k2);
  • formulate and interpret underlying mathematical principles in a precise and analytical way (k3);
  • apply the principles of group and representation theory to other advanced quantum mechanical problems (k3).
During the course, students acquire knowledge in the following areas and concepts of group and representation theory, including their application in modern quantum mechanics, solid state and molecular physics:

  • symmetries as linear mappings on vector spaces;
  • groups; equivalence classes;
  • reducible and irreducible representations;
  • fundamental theorems of representation theory;
  • characters;
  • reduction of reducible representations;
  • 3D rotation group;
  • selection rules in quantum mechanics;
  • point symmetries;
  • examples from molecular/solid state physics.
Criteria for evaluation written and/or oral exam
Details will be announced at the beginning of the course.
Methods lecture with example calculations
Language German
Study material will be announced in the course
Changing subject? No
Further information course language may be changed to english if requested
On-site course
Maximum number of participants -
Assignment procedure Direct assignment