NFYK13009U Experimental Nuclear and Particle Physics

Volume 2013/2014
Education
MSc Programme in Physics
Content
The purpose of this course is for the students to learn how subatomic particles are detected in modern physics experiments and how data from a particle detector is analyzed to measure the basic properties of subatomic particles. An introduction to particle accelerators will be given as well.
The course will conclude with a visit to a physics laboratory where some of the detectors and accelerator principles learnt during the class are used on a daily basis.

This course is central for any later course or master/PhD project where an understanding of experimental subatomic physics is required.

In the laboratory, students will operate particle detectors such as scintillator counters, gaseous tracking detectors, using particle sources like cosmic rays and radioactive sources, and perform various measurements.

Learning Outcome

Skills
After following this course, the students:

  • have a theoretical understanding of how modern detectors for subatomic particles function, all the way from the physical processes in the detector sensors to the final energy and momentum determination of a particle.
  • know the basic principles of how to operate a particle detector and collect the data, using cosmic rays or radioactive samples as sources of particles.
  • have understanding of how to simulate data from a particle detector, and analyse experimental data with the help of computer programs based on C++ language.

Knowledge

  • Basic principles of particle accelerators.
  • Basic principles of particle passage through matter.
  • Basic concepts of statistical analysis of data and introduction to computer programs needed for laboratory and computer exercises.
  • Description of the design and operation of different particle detectors, for the measurement of position, time, energy, and momentum of particles. Explanation of how these measurements are used to identify different particle types and measure their basic properties like mass, lifetime etc.
  • Review of modern multi-purpose detectors. Both general considerations and some specific examples of operating detectors at modern particle physics laboratories like CERN of FermiLab.

Competences
This course will provide the students with a competent background for further studies within this research field, e.g. an M.Sc. project.

Literature
Stefaan Tavernier: "Experimental Techniques in Nuclear and Particle Physics", Springer, ISBN 978-3-642-00828-3

Lecture notes will be uploaded to the course homepage
Lectures, computer exercises, laboratory exercises and one excursion.
  • Category
  • Hours
  • Colloquia
  • 1
  • Exam
  • 0
  • Excursions
  • 36
  • Lectures
  • 33
  • Practical exercises
  • 20
  • Preparation
  • 74,5
  • Project work
  • 33
  • Theory exercises
  • 8
  • Total
  • 205,5
Credit
7,5 ECTS
Type of assessment
Oral examination, 30 min
Students will be provided, three days before the exam, with a publication about a recently proposed experiment, and a set of questions regarding the publication. The answer to these questions will constitue the basis of a 15 minutes presentation the students will give on the subject, on the day of the exam. The presentation will be followed by questions on the material presented, or more generally on the material presented during the lectures or discussed during the laboratory exercises.
Aid
All aids allowed
Marking scale
7-point grading scale
Censorship form
No external censorship
More internal examiners
Criteria for exam assesment
The grade 12 is given to a student who at the exam has shown clear understanding of all theoretical and experimental aspects covered in the course, and in addition has demonstrated the skills listed in the section called "Skills" during the laboratory and computing exercises.