TITLE: “An Ode for Instantons”
SPEAKER: Oliver Janssen (EPFL, Switzerland)
ABSTRACT: We will introduce a formalism for real time evolution in quantum theory in the semiclassical limit, using the path integral. We will illustrate how it works in simple examples. Then, we will turn to the decay of a coherent state trapped in a metastable region in quantum mechanics. At the end we briefly speculate on the extension to quantum field theory. Based on [2603.06575], [2605.04139].
DATE: WEDNESDAY, October 14th, 2026
TIME: 11:40 am
LOCATION: Theoretical Physics Seminar Room