PHY3135 Nuclear and High-Energy Particle Physics

2007-2008

Code: PHY3135
Title: Nuclear and High-Energy Particle Physics
Instructors: Prof. M.J. McCaughrean
CATS credits: 10
ECTS credits: 5
Availability: unrestricted
Level: 3
Pre-requisites: Quantum Physics II (PHY3030)
Co-requisites: N/A
Background Assumed: N/A
Duration: Semester II
Directed Study Time: 22 lectures
Private Study Time: 78 hours
Assessment Tasks Time: -
Observation report: 2003/04 IRS

Aims

Investigations of the atomic nucleus and, of the fundamental forces that determine nuclear structure, offer fascinating insights into the nature of the physical world. The tools for probing these systems are high-energy particle accelerators and, more recently, colliding-beam systems. This module, designed as an introduction to nuclear and particle physics, is intended to give students a broad overview of the subject matter, and encouragement to seek further information. To this end, the topics are presented as a series of keynote areas forming the foundations of the subject.

Intended Learning Outcomes

On completion of this module students should be able to:

• describe the key properties of the atomic nucleus,
• explain these properties with the aid of an underlying theoretical framework,
• identify significant applications which make use of nuclear physics,
• explain the role of nuclear physics in these applications,
• identify sequences of particles as energy excitations of a ground state,
• identify the quantum numbers that distinguish these sequences and use their conservation to analyse production processes,
• state the relevant conservation laws and use them in analysing meson decays,
• describe the basic weak interaction processes and the significant experiments that elucidate the nature of these
• describe the quark model and be able to construct the quark composition of particles,
• explain the significance of symmetry to the multiplet structure of elementary particles,
• solve problems on topics included in the syllabus.

Transferable Skills

• Ability to reason logically within a set of given constraints.
• Ability to identify significant strands in a mass of confusing data.

Learning and Teaching Methods

Lectures, tutorials, e-learning resources, directed reading and problems classes.

Assignments

Problems for problem classes; problem sheet for discussion in tutorials.

Assessment

One 90-minute examination (100%).

Syllabus Plan and Content

1. Nuclear Structure
   Nuclear forces; liquid-drop model; Segrè curve and interpretation. Shell model; evidence for 'magic' numbers;
2. Instability and modes of decay
   α-decay, simple version of tunnelling theory; β-decay, neutrino theory, summary of Fermi theory; Kurie plot. γ-decay; nuclear decay schemes.
3. Nuclear reactions
   Energetics; Q-values; reaction thresholds. Compound nucleus model, partial widths. Resonance reactions; Breit-Wigner formula. Fission and Fusion.
4. Introduction to particle physics
   Leptons, nucleons, hadrons, quarks and baryons. Symmetries and groups.
5. QED
   Relativistic quantum theory of electromagnetic interactions; antiparticles, electrodynamics of spinless particles, Dirac equation, electrodynamics of spin-1/2 particles.
6. Partons
   Structure of hadrons, gluons.
7. QCD
   Relativistic quantum theory of the strong interactions of quarks and gluons.
8. Weak-interactions
   General structure, non-conservation of parity, massive neutrinos, neutrino experiments. Inverse β-decay. Two-neutrino experiment. CP violation in β-decay.
9. Gauge symmetries
   Gauge bosons

Core Text

Williams W.S.C. (1991), Nuclear and Particle Physics, Clarendon, ISBN 0-198-52046-8 (UL: On Order)

Supplementary Text(s)

Cottingham W.M. and Greenwood D.A. (1998), An Introduction to the Standard Model of Particle Physics, Cambridge University Press, ISBN 0-521-58832-4 (UL: 539.72 COT)
Halzen F. and Martin A.D. (1984), Quarks and Leptons: An Introductory Course in Modern Particle Physics, John Wiley, ISBN 0-471-88741-2 (UL: 539.721 HAL)
Krane K.S. (1987), Introductory Nuclear Physics, Wiley, ISBN 0-471-80553-X (UL: 539.7 KRA)
Lilley J. (2001), Nuclear Physics: Principles and Applications, John Wiley, ISBN 0-471-97935-X (UL: 539.7 LIL)

Formative Mechanisms

Students are able to monitor their learning by attempting problems, which are subsequently discussed in the problems classes, and by attempting the problem sheet intended for discussion in tutorials.

Evaluation Mechanisms

The module will be evaluated using information gathered via the student representation mechanisms, the staff peer appraisal scheme, and measures of student attainment based on summative assessment.