Elementary Particle Physics

Course Information

All details regarding the location, schedule, and ECTS credits are available on KSL.

Course Description

The course, taught in English, provides an introduction to elementary particle physics. It covers experimental and theoretical aspects of fundamental particles and interactions, complemented by phenomenological considerations and presented in their historical context. Overall, the lecture follows the development of the Standard Model of particles and interactions. Exercise sessions complement the lectures.

The main topics include:

  • Particle discoveries
  • Relativistic (anti)particle dynamics
  • Yukawa, Feynman, Fermi
  • Cross section
  • Scattering experiments (nuclei, protons, quarks)
  • C,P,T symmetries and violations
  • Accelerators
  • Interaction of particles with matter
  • Particle detectors
  • Neutrinos
  • Quarks and hadrons
  • Weak interaction
  • Strong interaction
  • The Higgs Boson

Literature

  • Teilchen und Kerne (Povh, Rith, Scholz, Zetsche); ISBN 978-3-642-37822-5 (freely available online as a PDF)
  • Modern Particle Physics (M. Thomson); ISBN 978-1-107-03426-6
  • A Modern Primer in Particle and Nuclear Physics (F. Terranova); ISBN 978-0-192-84525-2
  • Introduction to Elementary Particle Physics (A. Bettini); ISBN 978-1-107-05040-2
  • Phenomenology of Particle Physics (A. Rubbia); ISBN 978-1-316-51934-9
  • Introduction to Elementary Particles (D. Griffiths); ISBN 978-3-527-40601-2
  • Particle Data Group Booklet (and pdg.lbl.gov, reviews)