PHYS-400 / 4 credits

Teacher: Blanc Frédéric

Language: English


Summary

This course presents the physical principles and the recent research developments on three topics of particle and nuclear physics: the physics of neutrinos, dark matter, and plasmas of quarks and gluons. An emphasis is given on experimental aspects in these three research fields.

Content

Neutrino physics:

  • Neutrino mass measurements, beta and double-beta decay experiments.
  • Neutrino mass generation mechanism, Majorana and Dirac particles.
  • Neutrino oscillations, MNS matrix.
  • Cosmic neutrinos : origin, energy spectrum and detection.

Dark matter:

  • Evidence for dark matter from astronomical and cosmological data.
  • Relic particles of the "Big bang". Candidates for dark matter, and link with particle physics beyond the Standard Model.
  • Direct and indirect searches for dark matter.

Quark gluon plasma (QGP):

  • Plasma of quarks and gluons: properties, plasma signatures, production in the collisions of heavy ions.

 

Learning Prerequisites

Required courses

Nuclear and particle physics I and II (PHYS-311, PHYS-312)

Recommended courses

Quantum physics I and II (PHYS-313, PHYS-314), Particle physics I (PHYS-415)

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the course, the student must be able to:

  • Interpret fundamental results in neutrino, dark matter, and quark and gluon plasma physics
  • Identify the physical observables in these three fields of research
  • Discuss the experimental principles in these fields
  • Assess / Evaluate the experimental methods and results presented in scientific publications
  • Estimate the experimental sensitivity of experiments

Teaching methods

Ex cathedra and exercises in the classroom

Assessment methods

oral exam (100%)

Supervision

Office hours No
Assistants Yes
Forum Yes

Resources

Moodle Link

In the programs

  • Semester: Spring
  • Exam form: Oral (summer session)
  • Subject examined: Selected topics in nuclear and particle physics
  • Lecture: 2 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
  • Exercises: 2 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
  • Type: optional
  • Semester: Spring
  • Exam form: Oral (summer session)
  • Subject examined: Selected topics in nuclear and particle physics
  • Lecture: 2 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
  • Exercises: 2 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
  • Type: optional
  • Semester: Spring
  • Exam form: Oral (summer session)
  • Subject examined: Selected topics in nuclear and particle physics
  • Lecture: 2 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
  • Exercises: 2 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
  • Type: optional
  • Semester: Spring
  • Exam form: Oral (summer session)
  • Subject examined: Selected topics in nuclear and particle physics
  • Lecture: 2 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
  • Exercises: 2 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
  • Type: optional

Reference week

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