Nuclear, Particle, and Astrophysics 1

Experimental Basics

• Principles of particle accelerators
• Detectors in nuclear- and particle physics

Theoretical Concepts

• Symmetries
• Scattering and cross sections
• Klein-Gordon- and Dirac equations
• Basics of Quantum-Electro-Dynamics

Electromagnetic Interactions

• Electron scattering and form factors
• Deep inelastic scattering and structure functions
• Parton model

Strong Interaction

• Basics of group theory
• Basics of Quantum-Chromo-Dynamics
• Composition and properties of hadrons
• Quarks and Gluons in high energy reactions
• Experimental tests of QCD
• Basics of effective field theories

After the successful completion of the module, students have structured knowledge about the basic concepts of Nuclear, Particle, and Astrophysics and are able to understand the science case and the technical details of modern experiments in particle physics. They have basic knowledge about fundamental particles and their interactions as well as about systems that consist of several fundamental particles (Mesons, Baryons and nuclei). They are able to apply the theoretical concepts of the standard model of particle physics to basic phenomena.

PH0001, PH0002, PH0003, PH0004, PH0005, PH0006, PH0007

In the thematically structured lecture the learning content is presented via ex-cathedra teaching using instructive examples. The students are encouraged to engage in scientific discussions, to revisit the learning content themselves and to work through the textbooks mentioned in the section "Literature". Cross references to physical principles taught earlier help the students to grasp the universal concepts of physics.

The tutorial is held in small groups. The students are asked to work out the solutions to the weekly problem sets themselves at home before coming to the tutorial. In this way the students can control and deepen their understanding of the methods and concepts presented in the lecture. During the tutorial solutions to the weekly problem set are presented by the students and the tutor. The tutorial provides room for discussions and additional explanations to the lectures, prepares for the problems of the exam and rehearses the specific competencies.

The different teaching formats are closely intertwined and the lecturers are in constant exchange.

Blackboard or presentation,
Example videos (partly as downloads),
Lecture notes (partly as downloads),
Problem sets and solutions (as download)

B. Povh, K. Rith, C. Scholz, F. Zetsche, W. Rodejohann, Teilchen und Kerne (Springer 2013)
B.R. Martin and G. Shaw, Particle Physics (Wiley 2008)
C. Berger, Elementarteilchenphysik: Von den Grundlagen zu den modernen Experimenten (Springer-Lehrbuch, 2014)

F. Halzen and A. D. Martin Quarks and Leptons: an Introductory Course in Modern Particle Physics
O. Nachtmann, Elementary Particle Physics: Concepts and Phenomena (Springer)
J.F. Donoghue, E.Golowich and B.R.Holstein, Dynamics of the Standard Model
C.Quigg, Gauge Theories of the Strong, Weak, and Electromagnetic Interactions

There will be a written exam of 90 minutes duration. Therein the achievement of the competencies given in section learning outcome is tested exemplarily at least to the given cognition level using calculation problems and comprehension questions.

For example an assignment in the exam might be:

• Calculate the energy of an electron beam for the creation of W bosons in a fixed-target experiment.
• Give the gauge symmetries of the standard model and the corresponding charges.
• Plot the Feynman diagram for muon decay.
• Give four conceptually different free parameters in the standard model.

Participation in the exercise classes is strongly recommended since the exercises prepare for the problems of the exam and rehearse the specific competencies.