OVERVIEW

The course provides an introduction to Monte Carlo simulation techniques for condensed matter and fundamental interactions physics.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

The course aims at providing an introduction to Monte Carlo simulation techniques

   applied to condended matter and fundamental interations physics.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

The course aims at providing the basic knowledge of Monte Carlo simulation techniques with application to condended matter and fundamental interactions physics.

For condensed matter physics the learning outcomes are:

    - Markov chain simulation (Metropolis algorithm)

    - Simulation of phase transition in reticulated gas

    - Continuos-time Monte Carlo for equilibrium and non-equilibrium transitions

    - Simulation of aggregate creation. Fractals.

For the physics of fundamental interactions the learning outcomes are:

    - Simulation of the transport of particles in matter

    - Simulation of the interaction and decay of particles in Lorentz-invariant phase space

    - Parametric simulation of a detector

    - Simulation of experiments (past and present)

PREREQUISITES

No formal prerequisites, but a good knowledge of a programming language is recomended

TEACHING METHODS

Theoretical lectures and practical exercitations 

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

- Introduction to the Monte Carlo method. Sampling methods: rejection, inversion. Variance reduction. Importance sampling.

 - Markov chains. Homogeneity condition. Requirements for the convergence of Markov chains. Metropolis algorithm.

- Simulation of the reticular gas in two dimensions with repulsive interactions using the Metropolis algorithm. Order-disorder phase transitions. Order parameter.

- Continuous-time Monte Carlo for equilibrium simulations. Continous time Monte Carlo for non-equilibrium simulations.

 - Simulation of the growth of two-dimensional aggregates with Monte Carlo in continuous time. DDA model. Scale laws for the density of free atoms and aggregates. Generalities on fractals and definition of non-integer dimensionality. Measurement of the fractal size of the aggregates.

- Simulation of the transport of particles in matter. Detailed and condensed simulation.

- Methods for variance reduction in the transport of particles in matter

- Simulation of particle decay and interaction in Lorentz-invariant phase space.  Two-body decay. Three-body decay. Factorization.

- Parametric simulation of detectors and experiments. Applications to past and present experiments.

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

Lecture notes on the course web site

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

Exam Board

RICCARDO FERRANDO (President)

DIANA NELLI

FABRIZIO PARODI (President Substitute)

LESSONS

LESSONS START

The teaching will take place in the second semester.

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

The oral exam consists in the discussion of an original essay and questions on the course program.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

The original essay consists in the development of a program which, applying concepts and techniques acquired in the course, solves a physical problem.

The final score will take into account the results obtained, their presentation and answers to general questions.

Exam schedule

FURTHER INFORMATION

Students who have valid certification of physical or learning disabilities on file with the University and who wish to discuss possible accommodations or other circumstances regarding lectures, coursework and exams, should speak both with the instructor and with Professor Sergio Di Domizio (sergio.didomizio@unige.it), the Department’s disability liaison.