The How and Why of the Dynamical Renormalization Group illustrated via the KPZ equation - Part 1

The Renormalization Group (RG) is not only one of the most powerful tools of Theoretical Condensed Matter Physics, but it arguably provides the answer to Einstein's famous puzzle: "The eternal mystery of the world is its comprehensibility ... The fact that it is comprehensible is a miracle." . In this series of two lectures, I will illustrate the how and why of the Dynamical renormalization Group (DRG) by explaining its application to one of the most important problems in non-equilibrium statistical mechanics: the KPZ equation. I'll also discuss recent applications of the KPZ equation to Active Matter.

Note: Notes for these lectures - taken from a forthcoming Cambridge University Press book about Active Matter - will be available upon request (just -email John Toner at jjt@uoregon.edu).

Part 2: on 27 July