Valid for: 2016/17
Decided by: Education Board B
Date of Decision: 2016-03-29
Elective for: F4, F4-aft
Language of instruction: The course will be given in English on demand
The aim of the course is to provide a general description of the fundamental discoveries in particle physics in the recent decades which have led to today’s picture of the structure of matter, based on subnuclear constituents. An introduction to the quantum field theories, which were developed in order to describe the interactions between the building blocks, is given. Furthermore, the basic concepts in accelerator technology and the experimental techniques used in today’s electronic detectors will be reviewed. Included in the course is also a laboratory exercise designed to measure the lifetime of cosmic muons.
Knowledge and understanding
For a passing grade the student must
Describe how matter is built of quarks and leptons in the Standard Model
Describe the fundamental interactions in the Standard Model
Describe the basic observations that led to the Standard Model
Discuss the predicted phenomena beyond the Standard Model
Be familiar with the current research frontier in high energy physics
Describe the evolution of the universe from the perspective of particle physics
Describe the impact on the particle level of astrophysical observations
Account for different particle interaction with matter, especially detectors
Describe how to identify particles and determine their momentum.
Account for the secondary beams of neutrons, muons, pions, and photons, for instance at the ESS and MAX facilities.
Be familiar with accelerator use for materials studies and medical applications
Competences and skills
For a passing grade the student must
Illustrate fundamental interactions and decays using Feynman diagrams
Make quantitative estimates of reactions with the use of relativistic kinematics
Using the method of four momentum for quantitative kinematic calculations
Apply conservation laws to reactions
Connect electronic devices for detection of muons from cosmic rays and measuring the time to decay.
Using MATLAB determine muon lifetime from the measured results and generalize lifetime measurements on time scales of weak decays.
Calculate the motion of charged particles in electric and magnetic fields
Judgement and approach
For a passing grade the student must
Judge the natural science picture of the structure of matter based on experiments, modeling and theory.
Judge the scientific picture of the structure of the universe and development based on observations, modeling and theory
The course consists of two elements, particle physics and cosmology, 6 points (hp), and accelerators and their uses, 1.5hp.
The student is given an overview of elementary particles and
their interactions. Leptons, quarks and composite particles are
discussed, and the electromagnetic, weak and strong force and its
mediators. Reactions and decay represented by Feynman diagrams.
Introduction of particle physics standard model with the
electroweak interactions and quantum chromodynamics. The Higgs
mechanism is introduced and possible theories beyond the Standard
Model are discussed together with an orientation of the research
frontier in high energy physics. In addition the cosmology related
to particle physics, and some of the most important open questions
such as dark matter, are discussed.
Methods to determine identity and momentum of particles are
reviewed and the principles of high energy physics experiments.
Experimental studies of subatomic systems require particle beams
with high energy. Particle accelerators are used now also in the
wider community, such as for medical applications and materials
studies in physics, pharmacology, biology, chemistry, etc. The
principles of acceleration, mainly synchrotron and linear
accelerator, and storage of particle beams are reviewed. Examples
are taken from the subatomic physics front line, the Large Hadron
Collider at CERN, as well as studies relevant MAX and ESS in Lund.
For these latter it is also studied how secondary beams of photons
and neutrons are created for use for various applications
Grading scale: TH
Assessment: Satisfactory grades on the home exercises, the laboratory exercise, oral examination and compulsory study visit/compulsory paper.
Required prior knowledge: FAFF10 Atomic and Nuclear Physics with Applications.
The number of participants is limited to: No
The course overlaps following course/s: EXTF05, FKF050
Course coordinator: Peter Christiansen, peter.christiansen@hep.lu.se
Course homepage: https://www.fysik.lu.se/index.php?id=108305
Further information: The course is given by the Faculty of Science and does not follow the study period structure.