Contact
Jan Govaerts
Position
Professor emeritus
Address
Centre for Cosmology, Particle Physics and Phenomenology - CP3
Université catholique de Louvain
2, Chemin du Cyclotron - Box L7.01.05
B-1348 Louvain-la-Neuve
Belgium
Université catholique de Louvain
2, Chemin du Cyclotron - Box L7.01.05
B-1348 Louvain-la-Neuve
Belgium
Phone
+32 10 47 3226
Office
UCL member card
Teaching
Physique générale 1
Physique générale 2
Physique générale 3
Electromagnétisme classique
Quantum Field Theory II
Electroweak Interactions
Thesis Tutorial
Formation aux principes de base de la mécanique de Newton et de la relativité restreinte
LPHY1111 (45h + 45h; shared with V. Lemaître)
LPHY1111 (45h + 45h; shared with V. Lemaître)
Physique générale 2
Formation aux principes de base des lois de l'électricité et du magnétisme
LPHY1112 (45h + 45h; shared with V. Lemaître)
LPHY1112 (45h + 45h; shared with V. Lemaître)
Physique générale 3
Poursuit la formation en physique générale des cours LPHY1111 et LPHY1112,
pour la physique des ondes, les phénomènes ondulatoires classiques et l'optique
LPHY1211 (30h + 30h; shared with V. Lemaître)
pour la physique des ondes, les phénomènes ondulatoires classiques et l'optique
LPHY1211 (30h + 30h; shared with V. Lemaître)
Electromagnétisme classique
Cours approfondi portant sur l'électromagnétisme, les équations de Maxwell et leurs méthodes mathématiques
LPHY1311 (37.5h + 15h)
LPHY1311 (37.5h + 15h)
Quantum Field Theory II
Introduction to quantisation, perturbation theory and renormalisation in relativistic quantum field theories
LPHY2122 (30h)
LPHY2122 (30h)
Electroweak Interactions
Introduction to the Standard Model of the Electroweak interactions
LPHY2224 (22.5h; shared with F. Maltoni)
LPHY2224 (22.5h; shared with F. Maltoni)
Thesis Tutorial
PHY2998 (15h; in collaboration with Mrs Annick Mercier-Sonck)
People responsibilities
PhD students
Former members
Clémentine Dassy
(UCL-assistants)
(member since September 2020)
I'm working on trajectories of charged particles in electromagnetic knots in vacuum. The next step is to translate these electromagnetic knots into gravitational knots to understand the discrepancy between the theoretical and the observed velocity curves of galaxies.
I'm working on trajectories of charged particles in electromagnetic knots in vacuum. The next step is to translate these electromagnetic knots into gravitational knots to understand the discrepancy between the theoretical and the observed velocity curves of galaxies.
Former members
People Responsibilities outside CP3
Ph.D. Students
Research statement
- Nonperturbative gauge dynamics, geometry and topology
- Noncommutative, fuzzy and quantum geometries, and quantum gravitation
- Particle physics and the unifications of all fundamental quantum interactions inclusive of gravity
- Collective quantum phenomena in condensed matter physics (superconductivity)
- Theoretical and mathematical physics
As a driving motivation, our research activities aim to address some of the basic issues remaining open in the present day gauge theories of the fundamental quantum interactions and their matter couplings.
On the one hand, for well accepted theories a solid understanding of their nonperturbative dynamics remains largely wanting. Undoubtedly, topological and geometrical properties in field space in relation to large gauge symmetries play crucial roles in this respect, to which perturbative gauge fixing procedures remain totally oblivious. A significant component of our research efforts addresses such issues within lower dimensional gauge theories or abelian gauge theories from complementary nonperturbative points of view, also unravelling dualities between apparently disconnected theories.
On the other hand, present day gauge theories of the fundamental quantum interactions present their own challenges pointing towards new fundamental conceptual paradigms beyond quantum physics and gravity. Some of the exploratory paths being trodden are deformations of quantum mechanics, noncommutative or fuzzy spacetime geometries, and topological theories for pure quantum gravity, being applied in a variety of physical circumstances.
Yet in relation to the above, some interests in particle phenomenology are also being pursued, mostly centered on the electromagnetic properties of neutrinos in as many varied physical contexts as possible.
Finally, progress in nonperturbative dynamics of gauge theories has often exploited advances made in condensed matter physics.Collective phenomena in lower dimensional fermionic systems display a variety of behaviours, remaining also largely not yet understood, which may well prove relevant to nonperturbative gauge dynamics alike. Hence a modest part of research activities addresses such issues as well, in particular within the context of the different phenomena of superconductivity.
On the one hand, for well accepted theories a solid understanding of their nonperturbative dynamics remains largely wanting. Undoubtedly, topological and geometrical properties in field space in relation to large gauge symmetries play crucial roles in this respect, to which perturbative gauge fixing procedures remain totally oblivious. A significant component of our research efforts addresses such issues within lower dimensional gauge theories or abelian gauge theories from complementary nonperturbative points of view, also unravelling dualities between apparently disconnected theories.
On the other hand, present day gauge theories of the fundamental quantum interactions present their own challenges pointing towards new fundamental conceptual paradigms beyond quantum physics and gravity. Some of the exploratory paths being trodden are deformations of quantum mechanics, noncommutative or fuzzy spacetime geometries, and topological theories for pure quantum gravity, being applied in a variety of physical circumstances.
Yet in relation to the above, some interests in particle phenomenology are also being pursued, mostly centered on the electromagnetic properties of neutrinos in as many varied physical contexts as possible.
Finally, progress in nonperturbative dynamics of gauge theories has often exploited advances made in condensed matter physics.Collective phenomena in lower dimensional fermionic systems display a variety of behaviours, remaining also largely not yet understood, which may well prove relevant to nonperturbative gauge dynamics alike. Hence a modest part of research activities addresses such issues as well, in particular within the context of the different phenomena of superconductivity.
Projects
Research directions:
Experiments and collaborations:
Active projects
Non-active projects
Cosmology and General Relativity
Data analysis in HEP, astroparticle and GW experiments
Theories of the fundamental interactions
Data analysis in HEP, astroparticle and GW experiments
Theories of the fundamental interactions
Experiments and collaborations:
Active projects
Integrable quantum dynamics, Klauder-Daubechies deformations and noncommutative geometric structures.
Jan Govaerts
Combining complementary approaches to quantisation, exploration of integrability issues in quantum dynamics and noncommutative geometric structures
External collaborators: M. Norbert Hounkonnou (ICMPA-UNESCO Chair, UAC, Benin) Calvin Matondo Bwayi (UNIKIN, DRC).
Combining complementary approaches to quantisation, exploration of integrability issues in quantum dynamics and noncommutative geometric structures
External collaborators: M. Norbert Hounkonnou (ICMPA-UNESCO Chair, UAC, Benin) Calvin Matondo Bwayi (UNIKIN, DRC).
Non-commutative quantum dynamics and supersymmetry
Jan Govaerts
Extensions to the supersymmetric context of the Moyal non-commutative plane are being considered from different perspectives.
Extensions to the supersymmetric context of the Moyal non-commutative plane are being considered from different perspectives.
Non-perturbative dynamics of QED in low dimensions
Jan Govaerts
By emphasizing the relevance of topology in nonperturbative gauge dynamics in the presence of nontrivial space(time) topology, develop gauge invariant physical tools to approach the nonperturbative dynamics of such systems in approximation schemes. In an initial study, QED in lower dimensions is considered in detail.
By emphasizing the relevance of topology in nonperturbative gauge dynamics in the presence of nontrivial space(time) topology, develop gauge invariant physical tools to approach the nonperturbative dynamics of such systems in approximation schemes. In an initial study, QED in lower dimensions is considered in detail.
Nonperturbative quantisation of gauge theories, noncommutative geometry and unification of the fundamental interactions
Jan Govaerts
Development of nonperturbative quantisation techniques of gauge theories (Yang-Mills, topological, gravity) and their application to particle physics and quantum field theory at finite temperature (in particular, within the context of superconductivity).
Exploration of the consequences of noncommutative geometry in the search for the unification of the fundamental interactions (M-theory and superstrings, quantum gravity).
External collaborators: Frederik Scholtz (National Institute for Theoretical Physics, NITheP, South Africa); Hendrik Geyer (Stellenbosch Institute for Advanced Study, STIAS; University of Stellenbosch, South Africa); M. Norbert Hounkonnou (International Chair in Mathematical Physics and Applications, ICMPA-UNESCO Chair, Benin); Calvin Matondo Bwayi (University of Kinshasa, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo); Habatwa Mweene (University of Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia); John R. Klauder (University of Florida, Gainesville, USA); Peter Jarvis (University of Tasmania, Hobart, Australia).
Development of nonperturbative quantisation techniques of gauge theories (Yang-Mills, topological, gravity) and their application to particle physics and quantum field theory at finite temperature (in particular, within the context of superconductivity).
Exploration of the consequences of noncommutative geometry in the search for the unification of the fundamental interactions (M-theory and superstrings, quantum gravity).
External collaborators: Frederik Scholtz (National Institute for Theoretical Physics, NITheP, South Africa); Hendrik Geyer (Stellenbosch Institute for Advanced Study, STIAS; University of Stellenbosch, South Africa); M. Norbert Hounkonnou (International Chair in Mathematical Physics and Applications, ICMPA-UNESCO Chair, Benin); Calvin Matondo Bwayi (University of Kinshasa, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo); Habatwa Mweene (University of Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia); John R. Klauder (University of Florida, Gainesville, USA); Peter Jarvis (University of Tasmania, Hobart, Australia).
Quantum Gravity and the Cosmological Constant
Jan Govaerts
Quantum diffeomorphic gauge invariance and the total cosmological constant, inclusive of the quantum fluctuations of the gravitational field
Quantum diffeomorphic gauge invariance and the total cosmological constant, inclusive of the quantum fluctuations of the gravitational field
Topology and Non-Perturbative Gauge Dynamics
Jan Govaerts
The connections between topology in space(time) and in field configuration space and the non-perturbative dynamics of general gauge theories, inclusive of mass generating mechanims, are being studied.
The connections between topology in space(time) and in field configuration space and the non-perturbative dynamics of general gauge theories, inclusive of mass generating mechanims, are being studied.
Non-active projects
structures.
Internatonial Collaborations
- National Institute for Theoretical Physics (NITheP, South Africa)
- Stellenbosch Institute for Advanced Study (STIAS, South Africa), Fellow
- University of Stellenbosch (South Africa)
- African Institute for Mathematical Sciences (AIMS, South Africa)
- International Chair in Mathematical Physics and Applications (ICMPA-UNESCO, Benin), ICTP Visiting Professor
- University of Kinshasa (Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo)
- University of Zambia (Lusaka, Zambia)
- University of Florida (Gainesville, USA)
- University of New South Wales (Sydney, Australia)
- University of Tasmania (Hobart, Australia)
Publications in IRMP
All my publications on Inspire
Number of publications as IRMP member: 51
Last 5 publications
More publications
Number of publications as IRMP member: 51
Last 5 publications
2024
IRMP-CP3-24-01: Noncommutativity in Configuration Space Induced by A Conjugate Magnetic Field in Phase Space
2023
IRMP-CP3-23-18: External gauge field-coupled quantum dynamics: gauge choices, Heisenberg algebra representations and gauge invariance in general, and the Landau problem in particular
More publications