HDR: Representing fluctuations in statistical physics - Vivien Lecomte (LIPhy, PSM)

Physical phenomena, when observed at certain scales, exhibit spatiotemporal fluctuations that imply that the measured quantities are distributed rather than having a definite value. The aim of statistical physics is to understand how these distributions are structured and how they evolve over time (or with respect to other parameters), in order to better grasp the impact of fluctuations on the physics of the systems under study. This HDR presents several approaches aimed at representing these fluctuations, through examples ranging from rare trajectories in stochastic systems to interfaces in disordered media, and models of active matter. Beyond these specific examples, I also discuss some broad methodological aspects : covariance of path integrals for systems described by Langevin dynamics, and a geometric approach to (hyper)graphs that represent reaction networks or Markov chains.

Jury composition:

• Reviewers:
   Christian Maes (KU Leuven, Belgium)
   Cécile Monthus (IPhT, CEA Saclay, France)
   Muhittin Mungan (University of Cologne, Germany)

• Examiners:
   Jean-Louis Barrat (Université Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble, France)
   Grégory Schehr (Sorbonne Université, Paris, France)

Link for the online session:
https://univ-grenoble-alpes-fr.zoom.us/j/98522186783?pwd=TqRBkqaGllaKGx…