B1046 - GRANDI CONQUISTE E TRAGUARDI DELLA FISICA DELLE PARTICELLE

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course, the student will have a general knowledge of the path that gave rise to modern particle physics, of the main experimental results that have characterized its evolution and of the most important technological implications that such research has had on contemporary society. He/she will also learn about the state of the art of frontier research and the main directions towards which the scientific community is moving to resolve the most important questions of fundamental physics that are still open.

Course contents

Structure and order of modules

The modules are carried out in the following order:
Module 3A → Module 2 → Module 3B and Module 1 (in parallel)

Module 3A – Basic tools and concepts (8 hours)

Lecturer: Prof. Angelo Carbone
Introduction to the theoretical and experimental fundamentals of particle physics:
Standard Model and open questions; main experimental areas (colliders, neutrinos, dark matter); cross section, luminosity, and applications to colliders such as the Large Hadron Collider; radiation-matter interaction (ionization, Bethe-Bloch, multiple scattering, bremsstrahlung, synchrotron); formation and modeling of particle showers; principles of detection; trackers and calorimeters; track reconstruction, momentum measurement, resolution, and experimental effects.

Module 2 – The great achievements of particle physics (16 hours)
Lecturer: Prof. Cifarelli

Historical and conceptual overview of the main discoveries: structure of the Standard Model, quantum numbers and natural units; quark model and flavor symmetries; discovery of charm, beauty, top, and tau; color, QED and QCD, asymptotic freedom and running of couplings; weak interactions, W and Z bosons; DIS and the parton model; P and CP violations, quark mixing; introduction to Quark Gluon Plasma and experimental evidence in heavy ion collisions.

Module 3B – Recent experimental measurements (8 hours)
Lecturer: Prof. Angelo Carbone

Examples of modern experimental results:
Study of the Higgs boson (production, decays, mass, and comparisons with the Standard Model); top quark physics; flavor physics (CP violation and rare decays); massive neutrinos and oscillations; dark matter searches and interpretation of experimental limits.

Module 1 – Technological developments in particle physics experiments (16 hours)
Lecturer: Prof. Alessandro Gabrielli (in parallel with the other modules)

Technologies for detection and data acquisition:
CMOS microelectronics, technological nodes, radiation hardening techniques to mitigate the consequences of Single Event Effects and Total Ionising Dose; MPW multiproject wafers and Engineering RUN; annealing, triple redundancy (TMR); Technological evolution of programmable electronics (CPU, FPGA/GPU); transmission lines, coaxial cables, characteristic impedance and propagation constant, antennas; optical fibres; PMT and SiPM photomultipliers; scintillation and Cherenkov light detection; Trigger and DAQ systems, distributed network architectures (Tier-0/1/2). Activities in Bologna and Italy.

Readings/Bibliography

A. Bettini, Introduction to Elementary Particle Physics, Cambridge University Press, 2014

Lecture notes

Teaching methods

Frontal lessons with slide presentation. Part of the lessons is dedicated to the discussion of questions.

Assessment methods

The oral exam begins with a 10-minute presentation, prepared by the candidate with the aid of slides, on a topic of their choice from the course. The presentation should be an in-depth exploration of the topic covered in class. The committee will then ask further questions, including any requests for clarification or further explanation, which may cover all the topics covered in all the modules of the course.

The oral exam is graded on a scale of 30 (/30) and takes into account both the quality of the initial presentation and the accuracy, completeness, and mastery demonstrated in the answers to the questions asked by the committee. The maximum score (30/30, with possible honors) can only be awarded if the presentation is clear and well-structured and the answers to all questions are complete, correct, and comprehensive. In the case of partial, inaccurate, or incomplete answers, the final score will be reduced by 1 to 4 points for each question, in proportion to the deficiencies found.

Students with SLDs or temporary or permanent disabilities: it is recommended that you contact the relevant university office (https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/it) in good time: it will be their responsibility to propose any adjustments to the students concerned, which must in any case be submitted 15 days in advance for approval by the teacher, who will assess their appropriateness in relation to the educational objectives of the course.

Teaching tools

Slides presented in class and notes on Virtuale

Office hours

See the website of Alessandro Gabrielli

See the website of Luisa Cifarelli

See the website of Angelo Carbone