6 EC
Semester 2, period 4
5092SMEP6Y
The aims of this class in elementary particle physics are two-fold:
Firstly: To introduce students into the world of Feynman diagrams/calculus such that they can calculate themselves to lowest order relevant observables and notably cross sections and decay widths i.e. lifetimes. To provide students with a broad understanding of the important and sometimes revolutionary past achievements as well as to sketch the outstanding challenges.
After the introduction of the main observables in elementary particle physics such as cross sections and lifetimes, the Feynman calculus of these observables is introduced by means of an admittingly unrealistic “toy” theory. Subsequently the Dirac equation and thereby Quantum Electro Dynamics (QED) are introduced in detail. QED is the most successful relativistic field theory allowing to calculate several observables to an astonishing precision. Using QED, crucial processes such as electron-positron annihilation into a pair of muons (e+e-®m+m-) are calculated. Next the Weak interaction (Quantum Flavour Dynamics, QFD) is introduced with ample attention paid to the most mysterious particle known to date: the neutrino. Also the carriers of the Weak interaction, the W- and Z-boson, are discussed. Finally QED and QFD are put together to yield the Electro-Weak theory in which the Higgs mechanism and thereby the recently discovered Higgs boson plays a crucial role.
Secondly: Throughout connections with experiment and experimental techniques are elucidated upon and the remaining outstanding challenges are identified.
Another pillar of elementary particle physics theory, the theory of strong interactions or Quantum Chromo Dynamics (QCD) will not be explained in the same detail as QED and QCD.
Core: lectures and (essential) exercise sessions (time-wise: 50:50)
Activiteit | Aantal uur |
Hoorcollege | 28 |
Tentamen | 3 |
Werkcollege | 26 |
Zelfstudie | 111 |
creativity i.e. being able to think outside the box
calculational experience i.e. being able to perform a complete calculation and being able to confront an experimental result (measurement) with atheoretical calculation.
Programme's requirements concerning attendance (TER-B):
Additional requirements for this course:
To be honest: I think the best way to pass this course is to attend the lectures, to actively participate in the exercise sessions and (most important) to hand-in the homework assignments. And equally important: to read (=study) the relevant chapters/sections in Tompson's book. Do not get fooled: the only way to really master this subject is to make many exercises. That way you will experience the difficulties hand-on ...
| Item and weight | Details |
|
Final grade | |
|
1 (100%) Tentamen |
Bonus points: handing in worked-out solutions of the assigned problem (1 week before) on these dates:
-Friday 12 February
-Friday 19 February
-Friday 26 February
-Friday 5 March
-Friday 12 March
Average of best four is taken as ‘BP’
Exam: Tuesday 23 March gives ‘EX’ & must be at least 5.5
Final score: max(EX, 0.2BP+0.8EX) rounded to nearest (½) integer
Contact your supervisor to make an appointment for inspection.
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
| Weeknummer | Onderwerpen | Studiestof |
| 1 | Overview | |
| 2 | Units, relativity, lifetime, cross-section, Fermi' Golden Rule | |
| 3 | Klein-Gordon equation: Feynman rules | |
| 4 | Dirac equation: gamma matrices, spinors, spin, Feynman rules | |
| 5 | Symmetries in particle physics | |
| 6 | Weak interaction | |
| 7 | Weak interaction: Z, W | |
| 8 | Higgs and summary, question hour |
The schedule for this course is published on DataNose.
Recommended prior knowledge: Bachelor courses in special relativity, classical electromagnetism and quantum mechanics.