Foundations of Quantum Theory: Relativistic Approach Course | IISER Mohali
Course Details
| Exam Registration | 32 |
|---|---|
| Course Status | Ongoing |
| Course Type | Elective |
| Language | English |
| Duration | 12 weeks |
| Categories | Physics |
| Credit Points | 3 |
| Level | Undergraduate |
| Start Date | 19 Jan 2026 |
| End Date | 10 Apr 2026 |
| Enrollment Ends | 02 Feb 2026 |
| Exam Registration Ends | 20 Feb 2026 |
| Exam Date | 17 Apr 2026 IST |
| NCrF Level | 4.5 — 8.0 |
Foundations of Quantum Theory: A Relativistic Approach
Quantum Theory (QT) stands as one of the most empirically successful frameworks in modern physics, yet its foundational interpretation remains a subject of profound debate and inquiry. The core challenge lies in disentangling the theory's ontological reality from our epistemological access to it—a distinction more elusive than in our understanding of spacetime. When this already enigmatic quantum world is forced to reconcile with the principles of Einstein's relativity, a new layer of fascinating complexity and subtlety emerges.
This advanced course, Foundations of Quantum Theory: A Relativistic Approach, offered by IISER Mohali, delves into this intricate intersection. Guided by expert instructor Prof. Kinjalk Lochan, the 12-week program is designed to build a rigorous understanding of quantum concepts like entanglement and superposition within the demanding framework of relativistic physics.
Course Instructor: Prof. Kinjalk Lochan
Prof. Kinjalk Lochan is an Associate Professor in the Department of Physical Sciences at IISER Mohali. With a strong academic pedigree, he earned his Ph.D. in Physics from the prestigious Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR), Mumbai. His research journey includes postdoctoral fellowships at IUCAA Pune and IISER Trivandrum, followed by a DST INSPIRE Faculty position at IISER Mohali before his current appointment in 2018.
His research expertise is centered on the deepest questions in theoretical physics:
- Quantum Gravity
- Black Holes and the Early Universe
- Quantum Field Theory on Curved Spacetime
- Foundations of Quantum Physics
This background makes him uniquely qualified to guide students through the nuanced marriage of quantum mechanics and relativity.
About the Course
This course addresses the heart of modern theoretical physics. It moves beyond standard quantum mechanics to explore how core quantum principles—such as non-local correlations (entanglement) and the indistinguishability of quantum states—behave and are interpreted when constrained by the laws of special relativity. Students will engage with the quantization of fields, the nature of the quantum vacuum, and how quantum information concepts translate into relativistic scenarios.
Intended Audience: M.Sc. (1st and 2nd year) and Ph.D. students in Physics.
Prerequisites: A B.Sc. in Physics and a solid, working grasp of quantum mechanics.
Detailed 12-Week Course Layout
| Week | Topics Covered |
|---|---|
| Week 1 | Review of Perturbation from time-independent classical fields |
| Week 2 | Review of Perturbations from time-dependent classical fields |
| Week 3 | Review of Special Relativity |
| Week 4 | Quantization of Relativistic particles: Klein-Gordon and Dirac equations |
| Week 5 | Quantum theory of fields: Scalar field quantization, propagators, and vacuum fluctuations |
| Week 6 | Quantum theory of fields: Dirac field quantization |
| Week 7 | Quantum theory of Light: coherent and thermal states |
| Week 8 | Atom-Field interaction, Introduction to the Unruh-deWitt detector |
| Week 9 | Monopole and Dipole coupling models |
| Week 10 | Spontaneous and Stimulated emissions |
| Week 11 | Relativistic shifts in atomic transition lines |
| Week 12 | Relativistic Lindblad theorem and Entanglement generation through atom-field interaction |
Key Learning Outcomes
By the end of this course, participants will have developed:
- A firm understanding of the transition from relativistic particle mechanics to Quantum Field Theory (QFT).
- Practical knowledge of field quantization for both scalar (Klein-Gordon) and spinor (Dirac) fields.
- Insight into fundamental quantum optical concepts like coherent states and their relativistic considerations.
- An understanding of open quantum systems in relativistic settings, using tools like the Unruh-deWitt detector.
- Appreciation for how relativity influences quantum information protocols and the generation of entanglement.
Recommended Textbooks & Resources
The course draws from a selection of authoritative texts and seminal papers:
- J.J. Sakurai: Advanced Quantum Mechanics (Pearson)
- Ulf Leonhardt: Essential Quantum Optics (Cambridge University Press)
- Marco Lanzagorta: Quantum Information in Gravitational Fields (IOP ebooks)
- E. Martin-Martinez: Relativistic Quantum Information (arXiv:1106.0280)
This course represents a unique opportunity for advanced physics students to grapple with the frontiers of our understanding of reality, where the quantum meets the relativistic. Under the guidance of Prof. Lochan, students will build the sophisticated toolkit required to contribute to ongoing research in quantum foundations, quantum field theory, and relativistic quantum information.
Enroll Now →