Flavour Physics and CP Violation

3 EC

Semester 2, period 4

53548CPV3Y

Owner Master Physics and Astronomy (joint degree)
Coordinator prof. dr. R. Fleischer
Part of Master Physics and Astronomy, track Theoretical Physics, Master Physics and Astronomy, track GRAPPA, Master Physics and Astronomy (joint degree), track General Physics and Astronomy,

Course manual 2025/2026

Course content

Symmetries and their violation play an outstanding role in particle physics. A key example is CP violation, where C and P denote the charge-conjugation and parity transformations, respectively. In the Standard Model, this phenomenon is closely connected with the quark-flavour sector, which is still a big mystery. A particularly interesting laboratory to explore CP violation and ``quark-flavour mixing" is given by B mesons, which are composed of a heavy b quark and a light anti-quark. After a general introduction and motivation, we shall discuss the quark-flavour sector of the Standard Model, classify B-meson decays, introduce the theoretical tools to deal with them (such as low-energy effective Hamiltonians), investigate the requirements for non-vanishing CP-violating asymmetries, and discuss the most important benchmark decays, which include some of the rarest processes Nature has to offer. We will also confront theory with experiment by addressing the picture emerging from the most recent data of the Large Hadron Collider at CERN.

Study materials

Other

  • See: http://arXiv.org/abs/arXiv:0802.2882

Objectives

  • Understanding of the quark-flavour sector of the Standard Model and its structure.
  • Understanding of the theoretical framework and challenges to describe CP-violating phenomena and rare decays.
  • Application of Feynman diagrams to given meson decays in the Standard Model and beyond.
  • Analysis of low-energy effective Hamiltonians and QCD corrections.
  • Calculation of specific meson decays and their observables.

Teaching methods

  • Lecture
  • Tutorial

The lecture is complemented by tutorials, which take place right after the lectures, to deepen the understanding of the topics discussed in the lecture. 

Learning activities

Activity

Number of hours

Hoorcollege

12

Tentamen

4

Werkcollege

12

Zelfstudie

56

Attendance

  • Some course components require compulsory attendance. If compulsory attendance applies, this will be indicated in the Course Catalogue which can be consulted via the UvA-website. The rationale for and implementation of this compulsory attendance may vary per course and, if applicable, is included in the Course Manual.

    • Assessment

    Item and weight Details

    Final grade

    1 (100%)

    Tentamen

    Oral or written (depending on the number of participants)

    Inspection of assessed work

    Contact the course coordinator to make an appointment for inspection.

    Fraud and plagiarism

    The 'Regulations governing fraud and plagiarism for UvA students' applies to this course. This will be monitored carefully. Upon suspicion of fraud or plagiarism the Examinations Board of the programme will be informed. For the 'Regulations governing fraud and plagiarism for UvA students' see: www.student.uva.nl

    Course structure

    Weeknummer Onderwerpen Studiestof
    1 Introduction, Symmetries, Standard Model, Leptonic B-Meson Decays.  
    2  Semi-leptonic and Non-leptonic B-Meson Decays, Low-Energy Effective Hamiltonians, CP Asymmetries, Amplitude Relations.  
    3  Impact of New Physics, CP Violation in Neutral B-Meson Decays, Rare B-Meson Decays, Charm Physics, Contact with the Forefront of Research.  
    4  Exam.  
    5    
    6    
    7    
    8    

    Additional information

    Location: Nikhef.

    Prior knowledge: this course requires elementary familiarity with Particle Physics and Quantum Field Theory at a basic level. 

    Contact information

    Coordinator

    • prof. dr. R. Fleischer

    Teaching assistant: Yağmur Zubaroğlu, MSc.