87977 - Subnuclear Physics

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course the student will know the conceptual foundations of subnuclear physics. He/she will be introduced to the notions of symmetry principles and groups and their mathematical formalism, in order to describe the gauge theories (QED, QFD and QCD) of the Standard Model as well as its possible extensions.

Course contents

Module 1: –Global and local gauge theories, continuous symmetries and Noether's theorem; Abelian and non-Abelian (Yang-Mills) gauge theories. –The Dirac equation, helicity and chirality –Gauge theory of electromagnetic interactions (QED) and U(1)-e.m. symmetry group, introduction to Feynman diagrams and rules. –Weak interactions ,flavour mixing, Cabibbo angle, Glashow-Iliopoulos-Maiani mechanism, Cabibbo-Kobayashi-Maskawa matrix, CP violation. –The Glashow-Weimberg-Salam model: gauge theory of electroweak interactions (QFD) and SU(2)-left x U(1)-weak-hypercharge group. –Spontaneous symmetry breaking (SSB), Nambu-Goldstone theorem, Higgs mechanism. Precision tests of the Standard Model at LEP. – The contents of the course will be accompanied by the discussion of "key measurements" on the experimental side.

Module 2: Gauge theory of colour interactions (QCD) and SU(3)-colour group; introduction to quark confinement. – Deconfinement and chiral symmetry breaking. – Key examples and experimental measurements.

Readings/Bibliography

C. Quigg, Gauge Theories of the Strong, Weak and Electromagnetic Interactions (Addison-Wesley Publishing Company) – I.J.R. Aitchison, A.J.G. Hey, Gauge Theories in Particle Physics, volume I: From Relativistic Quantum Mechanics to QED; volume II: QCD and the Electroweak Theory (Institute of Physics Publishing) – F. Halzen, A.D. Martin, Quarks and Leptons: an Introductory Course in Modern Particle Physics (John Wiley & Sons) – R.Cahn and G. Goldhaber, The Experimental Foundations of Particle Physics, Cambrige University Press – D. Griffiths, Introduction to Elementary Particles (Wiley-vch) – S. Coleman, Selected Erice Lectures Aspects of Symmetry (Cambridge University Press) – A. Bettini, Introduction to Elementary Particle Physics (Cambridge University Press) – Mark Thomson, Modern particle physics (Cambridge University Press).Matthew D. Schwartz, Quantum Field Theory and the Standard Model,2021, Cambridge University Press - ISBN: 9781107034730

Teaching methods

Lectures (48 hours), that may also include a number of topical seminars

Assessment methods

Presentation, at least 7 days before the oral examination, of a written essay on a topic assigned by the teacher, of no more than 25 pages.

Subsequent oral examination with presentation via slides of the essay, during which questions will be asked by the teacher not only on the topic presented but, in general, on the various contents of the course.

Teaching tools

Slides and video projector

Office hours

See the website of Silvia Arcelli

See the website of Francesca Bellini