Insegnamenti erogati dal corso di dottorato in Fisica
Computational Methods for Tomographic Image Reconstruction in Medical Imaging
Area: Applied Physics
- Teacher: N. Belcari, D. Panetta
- Programmed Period: mid February – mid May
- Structure: 40 hours total
- Language: English
The course provides an introduction to the problem of image reconstruction from projections, with particular emphasis on Computed Tomography (CT) and Positron Emission Tomography (PET). Even though this topic is often seen as a branch of pure mathematics, referred to as Tomographic Reconstruction, it is indeed a strongly multidisciplinary domain involving, physics, engineering, computer science and, of course, any discipline relevant for the final application (not just medical) for which the above-mentioned imaging modalities are used.
After an introduction to CT and PET imaging principles and related technologies the student will be guided through the mathematical formalization of the image reconstruction process and several computational techniques are introduced and discussed. About 50% of the hours will be dedicated to practical exercises on image reconstruction. A background of scientific programming in Python/Numpy is necessary to get a fruitful understanding of the sample code, listings and Jupyter notebooks provided during the course, even though this is not required for the comprehension of the theory itself.
Lectures will be held in class twice a week.
At the end of the course, students are expected to individually complete a project in which they provide a practical solution to an image reconstruction problem, starting from simulated and/or experimental projection data.
More details
- Elearning webpage
- Registro delle lezioni
- Detailed program
The Hubble Tension: Measuring Cosmic Expansion in the Modern Era
- Area: Astronomy and Astrophysics
- Teachers: M. Cignoni, S. Degl’Innocenti, W. Del Pozzo, A. Pallottini, P.G. Prada Moroni, A. Ricciardone
- Programmed Period: second semester
- Structure: 40 hours
- Language: English
Since the seminal work regarding the expansion of the Universe from Hubble in 1929, the determination of the Hubble constant, H0, has been central in guiding our predictions for the cosmic structure formation and galaxy evolution.
In this context, the “Hubble tension” refers to the discrepancy of about 6 km/s/Mpc (about 4 ) between the result obtained in the late Universe (redshift z<2, e.g., from the distance ladder method) and in the early Universe (redshift z~1100, e.g., from the Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB) method), that seems to be lingering in the data since about 2015. If the measurements performed using different methods are correct, this represents a statistically relevant tension and a possible hint of new physics.
A promising avenue to unravel this puzzle is provided by the observation of gravitational waves from coalescing compact binaries. Such signals provide, in fact, a distance-ladder-free determination of the luminosity distance to a source, thus circumventing potential systematic biases implicit in the Supernovae measurements. However, the redshift is, with a few notable exceptions, not measurable from gravitational waves alone. Several methods have been proposed, each with its strengths and weaknesses, and a gravitational wave determination of H0 is now possible.
In this course, we will address the Hubble tension topic by discussing both early and late universe determinations (i.e., Supernovae, CMB and GWs), possible solutions, and implications for astrophysics and cosmology.
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Detailed program
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Non-perturbative Aspects of Quantum Field Theories
Area: Theoretical Physics
- Teachers: V. Alba, S. Bolognesi, M. Burrello, M. D’Elia, A. Vichi
- Programmed period: December – February
- Structure: 4 modules of 20 hours each
- Language: English
The purpose of the course is to provide a thorough knowledge about the main approaches used in theoretical physics to study strongly coupled system, which cannot be investigated by standard perturbative tools. Within the standard model of particle physics, this happens for Quantum Chromodynamics (QCD) at the low energy hadronic scale. Analogous non-perturbative approaches are required in condensed matter and in the theory of critical phenomena, where one usually deals with strongly coupled systems. The course is divided into four parts, each of them corresponding to 3 CFU, which are related to each other by a common language and tools and by various common aspects, but are anyway self-consistent by themselves. The first part (M. D’Elia) deals with the Lattice formulation of Quantum Gauge Theories; the second part (S. Bolognesi) is dedicated to the investigation of the role of Topological Solitons in QFT; the third part (V. Alba and A. Vichi) focusses on the investigation of Conformal Symmetry and Conformal Field Theories; the last part is dedicated to the study of two-dimensional quantum models with topological order and the Hamiltonian formulation of lattice gauge theories with discrete groups. The student can make a selection among these parts. The expected competences to be acquired by the student, to be verified in the final oral exam, consist both in specific knowledges about the various topics and in the ability to connect and interrelate different concepts.
More details
- Elearning webpage
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- Detailed program
Quantum Liquids
- Area: Condensed Matter Physics
- Teacher: M.L. Chiofalo
- Programmed Period: mid November – March
- Structure: 60 hours total (with the possibility to select 40 h)
- Language: English
At the end of the course, the student will have developed conceptual, procedural and factual knowledge in the physics of quantum liquids at equilibrium (40 hours) and of open driven-dissipative quantum systems (20 hours) and their engineering as quantum simulators in current quantum technology platforms. In particular:
- Advanced theoretical methods to predict and characterize the physics of quantum liquids at equilibrium, their relationship to quantum simulation methods, and their classification by functionality and problem types. Among the methods: linear response, quantum hydrodynamics, functional density and current, Green functions and non-perturbative methods, bosonization.
- Theoretical and simulational methods for out-of-equilibrium and driven-dissipative quantum systems: Markovian and non-Markovian systems, dissipative engineering, simulation through stochastic methods and tensor networks, measurement and feedback, and applications to quantum technologies, quantum chemistry and biology.
- Principles of operation of the main platforms of quantum technologies: atoms, dipolar and Rydberg atoms, ultracold ions, atoms in QED cavities; superconducting circuits; light fluids in optical cavities; low dimensional systems. Their use as quantum simulators for condensed matter, fundamental physics, quantum metrology, analogous gravity, and cosmology.
Students will select 40 out of the 60 hours according to their needs and interests.
More details
- Elearning webpage
- Registro delle lezioni
- Detailed program
Neural Dynamics
- Area: Condensed Matter Physics – Complex Systems
- Teacher: Enrico Cataldo
- Programmed Period: second semester
- Structure: 20 hours total
- Language: English
Introduction. Electric Properties of the Excitable Membrane. Cable Equation. Hodgkin-Huxley Model. Synapses. Dendrites. The Variety of Ionic Channels. Simplified Neural Models. Dynamical System Methods Applied to Neural Dynamics. Stochastic Methods Applied to Neural Dynamics. Intracellular Signaling Pathways.
Neural Network Models: Different Approaches. Fokker-Planck Equation for Neural Population Dynamics. Methods of Graph Theory Applied to Neural Networks. Models of Cognition: Decision Making, Memory, Perception, Learning, Consciousness. Introduction to the Work of Stephen Grossberg: from Complementary Computing and Adaptive Resonance to Conscious Awareness; a Universal Developmental Code; a Universal Measurement Device of the World and in the World: Brains Adapt to Physics.
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Detailed program
Elearning webpage
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Scientific Writing for Physicists
- Area: cross-sectoral
- Teachers: Steve N. Shore
- Programmed period: Spring 2025
- Structure: 4-6 hours divided in two afternoons
- Language: English
Requirements: there will be required readings (distributed in advance and also during the session), assigned project; requirement of interactive participation.
Overview: During the first part, the general issues of scientific writing will be covered. In all cases detailed examples will be provided and prepared for the second part when you will bring your work for analysis. There will be assigned work after the each day that will be due for the next session. Please allow time for the exercises, the material will be of little use without the individual work.
- Scientific journals: an overview editorial-referee structure of journals – the submission and review process at different journals and how it’s developed, overview
- Structure of a paper, details of construction: abstracts, introductions, discussions
- Citations and the literature
- Ethical issues: this is a particularly important part of the course
- Statistics, experimental details, how complete does the paper need to be?
- Graphs, figures: preparation issues (this is NOT as simple as it seems)
- The submission process – preparing the paper
- Responding to a referee report(s)
- Facilities, acknowledgments
- How to prepare a referee report
- Grant proposals, various examples
- Conference presentations: preparing your talk (additional material: conference proceedings: preparing the paper
- Internal refereeing (collaborations) (this will take some time, be prepared with examples of your own for the discussions)
- Posting papers online: when, how, why?
More details
- Elearning webpage
- Registro delle lezioni
- Detailed program