Beginner's Lecture Notes on Quantum Spin Chains, Exact Diagonalization and Tensor Networks

Aimed at introducing readers to the physics of strongly correlated many-body systems, these notes focus on numerical methods, with detailed discussions on implementing working code for exact diagonalization. A brief introduction to tensor network methods is also included. Prepared for the Summer School Quantumandu, held at Tribhuvan University (Kathmandu, Nepal) from 25 to 31 July 2024, as part of the ICTP’s Physics Without Frontiers program, these notes are primarily intended for readers encountering this field for the first time.