Elementary Particles

Introduction to the theory of, and experiments in, particle physics.

The theoretical part includes:

1) 4-vector calculus to understand the kinematics of relativistic particle collissions;

2) Basic concepts of quantum mechanics, scattering theory, and the Dirac equation, describing relativistic spin-1/2 particles;

3) Quarkmodel, isospin and strangeness;

4) Standard Model Lagrangian, gauge invariance, and the resulting interactions between particles;

5) Quantum electro- and chromodynamics, and e+e- and e+p scattering experiments;

6) The description of massive bosons and fermions through the Higgs mechanism.

The experimental part includes:

1) Accelerators;

2) Electro-magnetic interaction of charged particles with matter;

3) Interaction of photons with matter (e+e- pair production, Bremstrahlung, Cherenkov radiation);

4) Working principles of semiconductor (silicon) detectors and tracking;

5) Working principles of scintillators and calorimeters.

6) Cosmic ray experiments

Written exam.

Weekly homework exercises will contribute with 15% to the final score, if it improves the final result: Final grade = max(exam, 0.85*exam+0.15*homework).

The retake exam is a written exam.