69701 - Particle Physics

Learning outcomes

At the end of the lectures the student has been introduced to Particle Physics, with emphasis on the phenomenological and experimental approach. The student acquires a basic knowledge regarding the fundamental interactions, the classification of particles and their properties, with reference to the Standard Model of microcosm based on leptons, quarks, gluons and W/Z bosons. In particular the student becomes familiar with the characteristics of the weak interaction and the phenomenology of low- and high-energy collisions (hadron-hadron, lepton-nucleon, proton-antiproton and proton-proton), with reference to classic and current experiments. Finally, the student is able to solve simple exercises on the arguments treated in the lectures.

Course contents

• Historical and conceptual origins; fundamental constituents and interactions (strong, electromagnetic and weak).
• Additive and multiplicative quantum numbers (C, P, T); conservation and selection rules; couplings, masses; natural units.
• Transition probability in perturbation theory (Fermi golden rule); cross sections, lifetimes; relation between transition probabilities and experimental measurements.
• Characteristics of the weak interaction: beta decay and Fermi theory; parity violation; universality of the weak interaction.
• Hadron-hadron collisions at low energy; formation and production of resonances; quantum numbers measurements; static quark model of the hadrons; flavour and spin symmetries.
• Lepton-nucleon symmetries; deep inelastic scattering; parton model and structure functions.
• Characteristics of linear accelerators and colliders; conversion of energy into mass.
• Momentum/energy measurement and particle identification in multipurpose detectors.
• Hadron-hadron collisions at high energy (cross sections, production of jets, W and Z bosons, b and t quarks), with particular emphasys on LHC.
  

Readings/Bibliography

S. Braibant, G. Giacomelli, M. Spurio, Particelle ed interazioni fondamentali, Springer
D.H. Perkins, Introduction to High Energy Physics, Addidon-Wesley

Teaching methods

Lectures and exercitations in the lecture-hall

Assessment methods

The final examination is for the evaluation of the student level of learning of the arguments presented and of the student understanding of the fundamental principles of High Energy Physics.
The grades are based on the quality of the answers given to several questions posed during an oral examination

Teaching tools

Blackboard and overhead projector

Links to further information

http://campus.unibo.it/id/eprint/239374

Office hours

See the website of Andrea Castro