PHYS6011 Particle Physics

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.

Aims and Objectives

Learning Outcomes

Knowledge and Understanding

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

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

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

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

Resources & Reading list

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Online Materials.

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

Method	Percentage contribution
Final Assessment	100%

Repeat

Method	Percentage contribution
Set Task	100%

Referral

Method	Percentage contribution
Set Task	100%

Repeat Information

Repeat type: Internal & External

Linked modules

Pre-requisites: PHYS3002 AND PHYS3004 AND PHYS3007 AND PHYS3008