Valid for: 2024/25
Faculty: Faculty of Engineering LTH
Decided by: PLED N
Date of Decision: 2024-04-10
Effective: 2024-05-08
Depth of study relative to the degree requirements: First cycle, in-depth level of the course cannot be classified
Elective for: F4, F4-axn
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
Competences and skills
For a passing grade the student must
Judgement and approach
For a passing grade the student must
The course consists of three different themes:
Theme 1: Special relativity
In the first part of the course the students learn about special relativity, its consequences for length and time and about the concept 4-momentum and invariant mass. By means of these theoretical tools, they learn how one calculates two particle decays for relativistic particles.
Theme 2: Theory and experimental methods in modern particle physics
In the other part of the course, the student is given an overview of elementary particles and their interactions. Reactions and decay are represented with Feynman diagrams. The standard model is described in terms of particles and interactions (strong interactions and united electroweak interactions). Finally, the Higgs-mechanism is introduced, and its discovery is discussed in popular terms. Theories beyond the standard model are explained briefly and the lecturers give an introduction to current questions in the research domain of high-energy physics. This part of the course leads to a discussion of professions in science and particle physics with regard to the technical development that is required to answer large questions in the science (for example machine learning, real time analysis, intelligent instrumentation) and their technology transfer.
Theme 3: Particle accelerators and elements in particle detectors and instrumentation
The third component focuses on instrumentation for particle physics. Interactions that are relevant for detection of particles and the methods to identify and measure the momentum of the particles are explained in connection with high energy physics experiments and are connected to other fields of physics. This part includes a laboratory course where the student measures the lifetime for cosmic muons by writing a programme in Python using Jupyter-notebooks.
Since experimental studies of subatomic systems require particle beams with high energy, the principles are described for particle accelerators in a specific part of the course acquired the principles of acceleration, mainly synchrotrons and linear accelerators and storage rings including generation of secondary jets of photons and protons as in MaxIV and ESS. This part of the course highlights the use of particle accelerators for the society in general (e.g. for medical applications and for studies of materials in physics, pharmacology, biology, chemistry). Examples are taken from the forefront of physics, such as the Large Hadron Collider at CERN, and MaxIV and ESS in Lund.
During the whole course, the students refine their transferable proficiencies in programming in the Python-language, since they practise their programming skills during the laboratory session.
The students acquire proficiencies in scientific writing during the preparation of take-home examination by answering open-ended questions about the subjects of the course. They also polish their presentation skills since they in the oral examination must prepare a short presentation about the standard model that is presented by means of whiteboard and slides.
Students can also participate (optionally) in the IPPOG Particle Physics master classes, where they develop their proficiencies in science communication for the public with the aim to give students additional possibilities. This is not compulsory.
The teaching consists of lectures, laboratory sessions, exercises, and a study visit in a large experimental facility. Participation in the introductory lecture, the introduction lecture to the muon lab, as well as laboratory work and following the instructions is compulsory. Participation in the study visit is compulsory but can be replaced by a written project. The study visit can lead to a small cost for the student.
Grading scale: TH - (U, 3, 4, 5) - (Fail, Three, Four, Five)
Assessment:
Satisfactory grades on the home exercises, the laboratory exercise, oral examination and compulsory study visit/compulsory paper.
The examiner, in consultation with Disability Support Services, may deviate from the regular form of examination in order to provide a permanently disabled student with a form of examination equivalent to that of a student without a disability.
Modules
Code: 0111. Name: Particle Physics, Cosmology and Accelerators.
Credits: 7.5. Grading scale: TH - (U, 3, 4, 5).
Assumed prior knowledge:
FAFF10 Atomic and Nuclear Physics with Applications.
The number of participants is limited to: No
Kursen överlappar följande kurser:
EXTF05
FKF050
Course coordinator: Alice Ohlson,
alice.ohlson@hep.lu.se
Course homepage: https://www.fysik.lu.se/index.php?id=108305