Particle Physics | PHYS6011 | University of Southampton

Module overview

Relativistic wave equations with their predictions of anti-particles and fermion spin will be explored. The fundamental role of gauge symmetries in current theories of force will lead to the study of the standard model of particle physics including the symmetry breaking higgs mechanism. The importance of the most recent collider experiments such as LEP, the Tevatron and the upcoming LHC will be addressed through 6 guest lectures by experts in the field from RAL.

Finally theories of particle physics beyond the standard model will be briefly investigated concentrating on their motivations and testable consequences.

Linked modules

Pre-requisites: PHYS3002 AND PHYS3004 AND PHYS3007 AND PHYS3008

Aims and Objectives

Learning Outcomes

Knowledge and Understanding

Having successfully completed this module, you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:

Appreciate the role of symmetries in particle physics
Have a broad overview of the standard model and its predictions
Understand symmetry breaking mechanisms in particle physics
Have a broad overview of collider and detector design and running
Understand and be able to calculate in relativistic quantum mechanics

Syllabus

Review of particles and their properties

Relativistic Quantum Mechanics

Klein Gordon equation and negative energy solutions
Dirac equation, anti-particles and spin

Quantum Electro Dynamics

Photons
Minimal substitution
Feynman rules of QED from Fermi's Golden Rule & g-2
Gauge invariance

Quantum Chromo Dynamics

SU(3) colour symmetry
Feynman rules
Asymptotic Freedom and the non-perturbative regime
Colour singlets

Electro-weak Theory

SU(2) weak isospin
Symmetry breaking and the higgs boson
U(1) hypercharge
fermion masses, CKM matrices and CP violation

Beyond the Standard Model

Neutrino mass
Naturalness and new higgs physics.
The quantum gravity problem

Collider Physics

Particle sources and acceleration
Particle interactions with matter
Collider experiments and detectors
Event reconstruction and analysis

Learning and Teaching

Study time
Type	Hours
Completion of assessment task	2
Preparation for scheduled sessions	18
Follow-up work	18
Wider reading or practice	66
Revision	10
Lecture	36
Total study time	150

Resources & Reading list

Internet Resources

Online Materials.

Textbooks

Halzen and Martin (more phenomenological core book). Quarks and Leptons.

Perkins (an experimental view of the subject). Introduction to High Energy Physics.

Lee (essential for the part con colliders). Accelerator Physics.

Martin and Shaw (more phenomenological core book). Particle Physics.

Dunningham & Vedral (for revision). Introductory Quantum Physics and Relativity.

Casalbuoni (good entry book to QFT). Introduction to Quantum Field Theory.

Gorbunov and Rubakov (for Cosmology part). Introduction to the Theory of the Early Universe.

Aitchison and Hey (more formal core book). Gauge Theories in Particle Physics.

Assessment

Assessment strategy

Non compulsory problem sheets are available on the website, including model answers, though they are not used for formal (summative) assessment purposes.

Summative

This is how we’ll formally assess what you have learned in this module.

Breakdown
Method	Percentage contribution
Final Assessment	100%

Referral

This is how we’ll assess you if you don’t meet the criteria to pass this module.

Breakdown
Method	Percentage contribution
Set Task	100%

Repeat

An internal repeat is where you take all of your modules again, including any you passed. An external repeat is where you only re-take the modules you failed.

Breakdown
Method	Percentage contribution
Set Task	100%

Repeat Information

Repeat type: Internal & External