ITP Lecture Archive

Proseminar on Modern Approaches to Thermodynamics – HS 2014

General Information

This proseminar is supervised by Renato Renner and covers topics related to present research questions within the area of Thermodynamics. This includes axiomatic approaches and related mathematical subjects, results from the very recently emerging theory of Quantum Thermodynamics and Black Hole Thermodynamics. Possible topics for student presentations are listed below. Each presentation is based on on or two research publications.

For general questions, please contact Volkher Scholz.

Format

The student prepares a presentation of around, but not more than, one hour duration, on a specific topic assigned in advance. A tutor from the Institute of Theoretical Physics will provide literature and give a feedback on the student's progress. Students keep the tutor informed about their work in weekly meetings, starting (at least) 6 weeks before the date of the final presentation.

Requirements for passing the module

List of talks and dates

The Proseminar takes place on monday, starting at 10am sharp, for precise dates see the list below. Upon further notice, the room is HIT F31.2. See also the PDF file with further information on the topics and literature references.

Date
Topic Student Tutor
13.10
Axiomatic approach to the concept of entropy A. Malär  
20.10
The principle of increasing mixing character and some of its consequences T. Engel  
27.10
Nonequilibrium Equality for Free Energy Differences B. Mühlmann  
03.11
Landauer's principle F. Landolt  
10.11
(Im-)Proving Landauer's Principle C. Glomb  
17.11
Thermodynamics of Quantum Information Systems --- Hamiltonian Description S. Mahanta  
24.11
Entanglement and the foundations of statistical mechanics M. Zhu  
01.12
Single-shot work extraction M. Strodtkötter  
08.12
Black Hole Thermodynamics M. Oreshenko  
15.12
Thermodynamics of Spacetime: The Einstein Equation of State K. Gerhard