76344 - Particles and Fields

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course the student knows the basics of quantum field theory and the main phenomenological features of the Standard Model of the fundamental interactions. 

 

 

Course contents

1. Abelian and non-Abelian gauge theories
2. Spontaneous breaking of global symmetries and Goldstone theorem
3. Abelian and non-Abelian Higgs mechanism
4. Discrete symmetries CPT
5. Fermi theory of the weak interactions and intermediate vector boson model
6. Electroweak interactions among leptons: the Glashow-Weinberg-Salam model
7. Electroweak interactions among quarks: mixing and the Cabibbo-Kobayashi-Maskawa matrix
8. The Glashow-Iliopoulos-Maiani mechanism
9. Scattering theory and S matrix, Feynmann diagrams and ruels
10. Decay rates and cross sections
11. Renormalization and running of the couplings
12. Strong interactions among quarks: asymptotic freedom and confinement
13. Spontaneous breaking of chiral symmetry and CP violation
14. Anomaly cancellation in the Standard Model
15. Hints of physics beyond the Standard Model: neutrino masses, QCD axion, dark matter, hierarchy problem, grand unification, supersymmetry and cosmological constant.

Readings/Bibliography

1) L.H. Ryder, “Quantum Field Theory”, Cambridge University Press 2) C.P. Burgess, G. Moore, “The Standard Model: A Primer”, Cambridge University Press 3) Lecture notes

Teaching methods

Blackboard lectures

Assessment methods

Oral interview

Office hours

See the website of Michele Cicoli