Testing the Standard Model of Particle Physics 1

This module provides an in-depth overview of the Standard Model of particle physics, covering the fundamental theory as well as past and present experiments. The lecture is structured as follows:

The Standard Model of particle physics

1. Principles of Quantum Field Theory
2. Symmetry Groups, gauge symmetries and interactions
3. The fundamental forces and their unification
4. The origin of particle masses - the Higgs mechanism
5. Perturbation theory and Feynman graphs

With the successful participation in this module the students achieve in-depth understanding of the principles of the Standard Model of particle physics and are able to:

• understand the role of local gauge symmetries in the description of the fundamental interactions
• analyse the generation of elementary particle masses through spontaneous gauge symmetry breaking and the Higgs mechanism
• relate theory and experiment using perturbation theory and Feynman diagrams
• assess the principles and successes, but also the limitations and possible extensions of the Standard Model
• understand the search for new phenomena beyond the Standard Model: Grand Unification of all interactions, supersymmetric particles, Dark Matter

No preconditions in addition to the requirements for the Master’s program in Physics.

In the lectures, the contents are presented according to topics. The basic concepts of the Standard Model of particle physics and the major experimental tests of the theoretical predictions up to the latest experiments and measurement results are explained. Special emphasis is put on the discussion of the findings with the students in order to deepen the understanding of the principles of the theory and the interconnection with the experimental tests.

In the tutorials, the understanding of the concepts widened by discussing problems and additional applications enabling the students to explain the contents and apply them in a different context.

Presentation, script. The tutorials are optional for deepening and widening of the acquired knowledge.

• B. Povh, K. Rith, Ch. Scholz, F. Zetsche: Teilchen und Kerne, Springer, (1997)
• Ch. Berger: Elementarteilchenphysik, Springer, (2002)
• P. Schmueser: Feynmangraphen und Eichtheorien fuer Experimentalphysiker, Springer, (1995)
• I.J.R. Aitchison, A.J.G. Hey: Gauge Theories in Particle Physics, Vol. 1, Institute of Physics Publishing, (2002)
• W. Greiner, B. Mueller: Quantum Mechanics - Symmetries, 2. ed., Springer, (1994)

There will be an oral exam of 30 minutes duration. Therein the achievement of the competencies given in section learning outcome is tested exemplarily at least to the given cognition level using comprehension questions, discussions of sketches and simple formulae.

For example an assignment in the exam might be:

• Which are the fundamental particles and forces described by the Standard Model?
• Which is the common symmetry principle of the fundamental interactions?
• What are the consequences of the symmetries for the force mediating particles?
• What is the role of the Higgs boson in the standard model and what is known experimentally about its properties?
• Which experiments and measurements test the predictions of the standard model in higher orders of the perturbations theory?

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