Thomas Repplinger – ¡¡ thesis defense !!
Landau’s theory of Fermi liquids provides a simplified framework for describing the dynamics of certain fermion systems by solving a Boltzmann equation. This theory accounts for the low-temperature behavior of most metals, as well as helium-3. One of its greatest achievements was the prediction of zero sound, a collisionless sound mode, which was later experimentally observed in helium-3. Despite many efforts, a quantitative disagreement persists between theory and experiments. This discrepancy arises from interactions between quasiparticles and the collision probability, which cannot be derived from a microscopic theory.
With the advent of ultracold fermionic atomic gases, we now have the opportunity to quantitatively test Landau’s theory, particularly in terms of transport properties. This is the context of my thesis. I will begin by introducing the fundamental principles of this theory. We will then explore its application to homogeneous Fermi gases, particularly in the context of experiments conducted by the Yale group. This will allow us to exactly calculate their transport properties (shear viscosity and thermal conductivity) at all temperatures as well as the dispersion of hydrodynamic sound at low temperatures. Finally, we will compare the linear response predicted by Fermi liquid theory with the measurements performed at Yale.
Contact: H. Kurkjian
