Experimental Techniques in Particle Physics
Code: 44081 ECTS Credits: 6| Degree | Type | Year | Semester |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4313861 High Energy Physics, Astrophysics and Cosmology | OT | 0 | 2 |
Contact
- Name:
- Thorsten Lux
- Email:
- thorsten.lux@uab.cat
Use of Languages
- Principal working language:
- english (eng)
Teachers
- Thorsten Lux
- Sebastian Grinstein
External teachers
- Manel Martínez Rodríguez
Prerequisites
No specific prerequisites are set for this course.
Objectives and Contextualisation
The main purpose of this course is to give an overview of the experimental technique used in particle physics. It covers from the basic principles used to the integration of a full complete detector.
Competences
- Formulate and tackle problems, both open and more defined, identifying the most relevant principles and using approaches where necessary to reach a solution, which should be presented with an explanation of the suppositions and approaches.
- Understand the bases of advanced topics selected at the frontier of high energy physics, astrophysics and cosmology and apply them consistently.
Learning Outcomes
- Design a detector for a specific problem of physics.
- Understand the different techniques for particle detection (scintillation, ionisation, Cherenkov light, etc.)
- Understand the fundamentals of interaction of radiation with matter.
Content
Particle Interactions with matter
- General Considerations
- Atomic ionization and excitation
- Small angle multiple difusion
- Photon interactions with matter
- Electromagnetic Cascades
- Interactions of high-energy muons
- Cherenkov radiation and transition radiation
Review of electronic circuits and other technical aspects
- Circuits with reactive elements
- Propagation of electrical signals in cables
Detection Techniques
- Overview
- Photon detectors
- Scintillators
- Cherenkov radiation detectors
- Transition radiation detectors
- Thread cameras
- Gas Microdetectors
- Resistive plate chambers
- Time projection chambers
- Semiconductor detectors
Experimental Design Equipment
- Context: fixed target experiments, in the center of mass, or without beaming • Measures of position, time, quadrumoments; particle identification
- Trace and vertex detectors
- Calorimeters
- Muon spectrometers
- Fixed target Beams: Experiment design
- Colliding beams: Experiment design
- Experiments with neutrinos
- Searching for the proton decay
- Other searches: dark matter, double beta decay
Methodology
Theory lectures, exrecices and expositions by the students. Classwork and Homework.
Annotation: Within the schedule set by the centre or degree programme, 15 minutes of one class will be reserved for students to evaluate their lecturers and their courses or modules through questionnaires.
Activities
| Title | Hours | ECTS | Learning Outcomes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Type: Directed | |||
| Discussion, Work Group, Group Exercices | 20 | 0.8 | 2, 1, 3 |
| Particle interactions with matter | 25 | 1 | 2, 1, 3 |
| Type: Supervised | |||
| Study of real detectors | 30 | 1.2 | 2, 1, 3 |
Assessment
Homework consisting on three sets of problems addressing sequentially the physics effects used, the detection techniques and the full detectors covers 85% of the evaluation mark. The additional 15% is based on attendance and participations to lectures.
Assessment Activities
| Title | Weighting | Hours | ECTS | Learning Outcomes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Attendance and participation to lectures | 15% | 45 | 1.8 | 2, 1, 3 |
| Homework Detection Techniques | 30% | 10 | 0.4 | 2 |
| Homework Full Detectors | 30% | 15 | 0.6 | 1 |
| Homework Physics Phenomena | 25% | 5 | 0.2 | 3 |
Bibliography
W.R. Leo. Techniques for Nuclear and Particle Physuics Experiments , Springer-Verlag
Software
None