FYSS4300 Particle Physics (8 cr)

Study level:
Advanced studies
Grading scale:
0-5
Language:
English
Responsible organisation:
Department of Physics
Curriculum periods:
2017-2018, 2018-2019, 2019-2020

Description

Content

I. Particle phenomenology and calculation tools: Particle physics terminology and introduction to the Standard Model particles, interactions and Feynman graphs; relativistic kinematics in particle collisions; definition of a cross section and decay width; quantum numbers and conservation laws for leptons, quarks and gluons; space-time symmetries: Translational and rotational invariances and conservation of momentum and angular momentum, spatial inversion and parity, charge conjugation and C-parity; isospin symmetry, hadron quantum numbers and excited states; quark model of hadrons: quarkonium states, hadron spectrum and color confinement
II. Standard Model of particle physics: Basics of classical field theory: Euler-Lagrange equations, Noether's theorem, gauge symmetry in electrodynamics; basics of group theory; equations of motion in relativistic quantum mechanics: Klein-Gordon equation and Dirac equation and their solutions; quantum electrodynamics (QED): local U(1) symmetry and QED Lagrange density, QED phenomenology and computation of scattering cross sections with QED Feynman rules in leading-order perturbation theory; quantum chromodynamics (QCD): local SU(3) symmetry and QCD Lagrange density, QCD phenomenology and computation of scattering cross sections with QCD Feynman rules in leading-order perturbation theory, asymptotic freedom; electroweak unification theory: handedness of neutrinos and antineutrinos, local SU(2)xU(1) symmetry and electroweak Lagrange density, spontaneous symmetry breaking and Higgs mechanism, derivation of the Standard Model Lagrange density with massive particles, Feynman rules, electroweak phenomenology, CKM matrix and quark mixing, Higgs physics; introduction to experimental particle physics.

Completion methods

Assignments, examinations.

Assessment details

Maximum points: 80% from the final exam plus 20% from the exercises; passing the course: at least 50% of the maximum total points obtained; maximum score from the exercises: at least 80% of all the available exercise points obtained.

Learning outcomes

At the end of this course, students will be able to use the terminology and concepts of particle physics, the Standard Model in particular. Students will be able to apply relativistic kinematics in various collision systems and apply the symmetry principle and conservation laws in finding the quantum numbers (spin, parity, C-parity, isospin) of particles in scattering and decay processes. They will be able to couple together different types of angular momenta or isospin operators and apply the resulting quantum number systematics and find the equations of motion of a theory, based on Euler-Lagrange equations as well as solve simple group-theory problems, do calculations in e.g. the SU(2) and SU(3) groups. They will also be able to find the solutions of the Klein-Gordon equation and Dirac equation of relativistic quantum mechanics derive the Lagrange densities of QED, QCD and electroweak unification theory on the basis of local gauge symmetry and apply the idea of spontaneous symmetry breaking and Higgs mechanism in different theories. In addition, they will be able to compute scattering cross sections and decay widths with Feynman rules in leading-order perturbation theory of QED, QCD, and electroweak unification theory and explain the purpose and arrangement of particle detectors e.g. at the LHC.

Description of prerequisites

Before enrolling for this course, students are expected to have studied the courses FYSA2031 Quantum Mechanics, part A and FYSA2032 Quantum Mechanics, part B.

Study materials

Lecture notes by Kari J. Eskola.

Literature

  • B.R. Martin and G. Shaw: Particle Physics (Wiley), ISBN 0471 97285; F. Halzen and A.D. Martin: Quarks & leptons, An introductory course in modern particle physics (Wiley), ISBN 0-471-88741-2.; ISBN: 0-471-88741-2

Completion methods

Method 1

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Parts of the completion methods
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