NFYK13010U Particle Physics at the Energy Frontier

Skills
A student that has successfully followed the course is expected to be able to

• Review the current understanding and calculation techniques of particle physics as encompassed by the Standard Model with its Feynman rules for basic physics processes and boson interactions
• Comprehensively explain the experimental detection techniques and their use in general-purpose high energy particle detectors, covering
  Tracking
  Electromagnetic calorimetry
  Hadronic calorimetry
  Muon detectors
  Particle identification
• Account for the concepts and methodologies employed in the reconstruction of the primary physics process in today’ particle physics experiments and detail their performances and limitations on physics
  Underlying events
  Multiple collisions
  Jet physic
  Detector resolution
• Qualitatively describe and calculate cross-sections and dynamics of high energy hadron collisions at present and future energies
  Structure functions
  Hard process dynamics - Photon, lepton and jet production
  Final state radiation and hadronization
• Employ principal tools and techniques to calculate process cross-sections (CompHep), simulate complete physics processes (Pythia) and model the detector response (Geant4)
• Review the current experimental status of Quantum-Chromo-Dynamics and Electro-Weak physics from past and present high energy colliders and elaborate on the connection to the Higgs boson
• Describe and evaluate physics of the Higgs boson and the complications at hadron colliders
  Higgs Production processes
  Higgs decay
  Standard Model backgrounds
• Develop a strategy for searching for the Higgs boson and new physics at hadron colliders by taking into account the expected nature of signal and Standard Model background distributions
• Give an qualitative overview of the outstanding limitations of the Standard Model and explain possible physics beyond the Standard Model from Grand unification and Supersymmetric theories.

Knowledge
The course provides a comprehensive introduction to high transverse momentum reactions at hadron (proton–proton or proton–antiproton) colliders. It begins by introducing the Standard Model of high energy physics and describes the specialized detectors used. It then gives a general treatment of the physics processes to be studied and summarizes the state of the art in hadron collider physics, defined by Tevatron results. The experimental program at the detectors being built for the Large Hadron Collider at CERN is described, with details of the search program and the general strategy to find the postulated Higgs particle. Speculations of physics beyond the Standard Model, such as Supersymmetry, and the road towards a “Theory Of Everything” are also discussed.

Competences
Students following this course will acquire knowledge in experimental methodology, statistical techniques and data analysis, which cover data-mining, computer modelling and simulation techniques. The student will practise cooperation in groups.