Search result: Catalogue data in Autumn Semester 2016

Physics Master Information
Electives
Electives: Physics and Mathematics
Selection: Particle Physics, Nuclear Physics
NumberTitleTypeECTSHoursLecturers
402-0725-00LExperimental Methods and Instruments of Particle Physics Information W6 credits3V + 1UU. Langenegger, M. Dittmar, A. Streun, University lecturers
AbstractPhysics and design of particle accelerators.
Basics and concepts of particle detectors.
Track- and vertex-detectors, calorimetry, particle identification.
Special applications like Cherenkov detectors, air showers, direct detection of dark matter.
Simulation methods, readout electronics, trigger and data acquisition.
Examples of key experiments.
ObjectiveAcquire an in-depth understanding and overview of the essential elements of experimental methods in particle physics, including accelerators and experiments.
Content1. Examples of modern experiments
2. Basics: Bethe-Bloch, radiation length, nucl. interaction length, fixed-target vs. collider, principles of measurements: energy- and momentum-conservation, etc
3. Physics and layout of accelerators
4. Charged particle tracking and vertexing
5. Calorimetry
6. Particle identification
7. Analysis methods: invariant and missing mass, jet algorithms, b-tagging
8. Special detectors: extended airshower detectors and cryogenic detectors
9. MC simulations (GEANT), trigger, readout, electronics
Lecture notesSlides are handed out regularly, see Link
402-0713-00LAstro-Particle Physics I Information W6 credits2V + 1UA. Biland
AbstractThis lecture gives an overview of the present research in the field of Astro-Particle Physics, including the different experimental techniques. In the first semester, main topics are the charged cosmic rays including the antimatter problem. The second semester focuses on the neutral components of the cosmic rays as well as on some aspects of Dark Matter.
ObjectiveSuccessful students know:
- experimental methods to measure cosmic ray particles over full energy range
- current knowledge about the composition of cosmic ray
- possible cosmic acceleration mechanisms
- correlation between astronomical object classes and cosmic accelerators
- information about our galaxy and cosmology gained from observations of cosmic ray
ContentFirst semester (Astro-Particle Physics I):
- definition of 'Astro-Particle Physics'
- important historical experiments
- chemical composition of the cosmic rays
- direct observations of cosmic rays
- indirect observations of cosmic rays
- 'extended air showers' and 'cosmic muons'
- 'knee' and 'ankle' in the energy spectrum
- the 'anti-matter problem' and the Big Bang
- 'cosmic accelerators'
Lecture notesSee lecture home page: Link
LiteratureSee lecture home page: Link
402-0833-00LParticle Physics in the Early Universe
Does not take place this semester.
W6 credits2V + 1U
AbstractAn introduction to key concepts on the interface of Particle Physics and Early Universe cosmology. Topics include inflation and inflationary models, the ElectroWeak phase transition and vacuum stability, matter-antimatter asymmetry, recombination and the Cosmic Microwave Background, relic abundances and primordial nucleosynthesis, baryogenesis, dark matter and more.
Objective
Prerequisites / NoticePrerequisites: Particle Physics Phenomenolgy 1 or Quantum Field Theory 1
Recommended: Quantum Field Theory 2, Advanced Field Theory, General Relativity
402-0715-00LLow Energy Particle PhysicsW6 credits2V + 1UA. S. Antognini, P. A. Schmidt-Wellenburg
AbstractLow energy particle physics provides complementary information to high energy physics with colliders. In this lecture, we will concentrate on selected experiments, using mainly neutrons and muons, which have significantly improved our understanding of particle physics today.
ObjectiveThe course aims to provide an introduction to selected advanced topics in low energy particle physics with neutrons and muons.
ContentLow energy particle physics provides complementary information to high energy physics with colliders. At the Large Hadron Collider one directly searches for new particles at energies up to the TeV range. In a complementary way, low energy particle physics indirectly probes the existence of such particles and provides constraints for "new physics", making use of precision and high intensities.

Besides the sensitivity to effects related with new physics (e.g. lepton flavor violation, symmetry violations, CPT tests, search for electric dipole moments, new low mass exchange bosons etc.), low energy physics provides the best test of QED (electron g-2), the best tests of bound-state QED (atomic physics and exotic atoms), precise determinations of fundamental constants, information about the CKM matrix, precise information on the weak and strong force even in the non-perturbative regime etc.

In this lecture, we will concentrate on selected experiments, using mainly neutrons and muons, which have significantly improved our understanding of particle physics today. Starting from a general introduction on high intensity/high precision particle physics and the main characteristics of muons and neutrons and their production, we will then focus on the discussion of fundamental problems and ground-breaking experiments:

- Production and characteristics of muon and neutron beams
- Ultracold neutron production
- Measurement of the neutron lifetime and electric dipole moment
- The neutron in the gravitational field and its electric charge
- Muon and neutron decay correlations
- Lepton flavour violations with muons to search for new physics
- What atomic physics can do for particle physics and vice versa
- Laser experiments at accelerators
- From myonic hydrogen to the proton structure and bound-state QED
- From pionic hydrogen to the strong interaction and effective field theories
- etc.
LiteratureGolub, Richardson & Lamoreaux: "Ultra-Cold Neutrons"
Rauch & Werner: "Neutron Interferometry"
Carlile & Willis: "Experimental Neutron Scattering"
Byrne: "Neutrons, Nuclei and Matter"
Klapdor-Kleingrothaus: "Non Accelerator Particle Physics"
Prerequisites / NoticeEinführung in die Kern- und Teilchenphysik / Introduction to Nuclear- and Particle-Physics
402-0767-00LNeutrino Physics Information W6 credits2V + 1UA. Rubbia
AbstractTheoretical basis and selected experiments to determine the properties of neutrinos and their interactions (mass, spin, helicity, chirality, oscillations, interactions with leptons and quarks).
ObjectiveIntroduction to the physics of neutrinos with special consideration of phenomena connected with neutrino masses.
Lecture notesScript
LiteratureB. Kayser, F. Gibrat-Debu and F. Perrier, The Physics of Massive Neutrinos, World Scientific Lecture Notes in Physic, Vol. 25, 1989, and newer publications.

N. Schmitz, Neutrinophysik, Teubner-Studienbücher Physik, 1997.

D.O. Caldwell, Current Aspects of Neutrino Physics, Springer.

C. Giunti & C.W. Kim, Fundamentals of Neutrino Physics and Astrophysics, Oxford.
402-0777-00LParticle Accelerator Physics and Modeling IW6 credits2V + 1UA. Adelmann
AbstractThis is the first of two courses, introducing particle accelerators from a theoretical point of view and covers state-of-the-art modeling techniques. It emphasizes the multidisciplinary aspect of the field, both in methodology (numerical and computational methods) and with regard to applications such as medical, industrial, material research and particle physics.
ObjectiveYou understand the building blocks of particle accelerators. Modern analysis tools allows you to model state-of-the art particle accelerators. In some of the exercises you will be confronted with next generation machines. We will develop a Python simulation tool
(AcceLEGOrator) that reflects the theory from the lecture.
ContentHere is the rough plan of the topics, however the actual pace may vary relative to this plan.

- Particle Accelerators an Overview
- Relativity for Accelerator Physicists
- Building Blocks of Particle Accelerators
- Lie Algebraic Structure of Classical Mechanics and Applications to Particle Accelerators
- Symplectic Maps & Analysis of Maps
- Particle Tracking
- Linear & Circular Machines
- Cyclotrons
- Free Electron Lasers
- Collective effects in linear approximation
- Preview of Particle Accelerator Physics and Modeling II
LiteratureParticle Accelerator Physics, H. Wiedemann, ISBN-13 978-3-540-49043-2, Springer

Theory and Design of Charged Particle Beams, M. Reiser, ISBN 0-471-30616-9, Wiley-VCH
Prerequisites / NoticePhysics, Computational Science (RW) at BSc. Level

This lecture is also suited for PhD. students
402-0851-00LQCD: Theory and ExperimentW3 credits3GG. Dissertori, University lecturers
AbstractAn introduction to the theoretical aspects and experimental tests of QCD, with emphasis on perturbative QCD and related experiments at colliders.
ObjectiveKnowledge acquired on basics of perturbative QCD, both of theoretical and experimental nature. Ability to perform simple calculations of perturbative QCD, as well as to understand modern publications on theoretical and experimental aspects of perturbative QCD.
ContentQCD Lagrangian and Feynman Rules
QCD running coupling
Parton model
Altarelli-Parisi equations
Basic processes
Experimental tests at lepton and hadron colliders
Measurements of the strong coupling constant
Literature1) G. Dissertori, I. Knowles, M. Schmelling : "Quantum Chromodynamics: High Energy Experiments and Theory" (The International Series of Monographs on Physics, 115, Oxford University Press)
2) R. K. Ellis, W. J. Stirling, B. R. Webber : "QCD and Collider Physics" (Cambridge Monographs on Particle Physics, Nuclear Physics & Cosmology)"
Prerequisites / NoticeWill be given as block course, language: English.
For students of both ETH and University of Zurich.
402-0737-00LEnergy and Environment in the 21st Century (Part I)W6 credits2V + 1UM. Dittmar
AbstractThe energy and related environmental problems, the physics principles of using energy and the various real and hypothetical options are discussed from a physicist point of view. The lecture is intended for students of all ages with an interest in a rational approach to the energy problem of the 21st century.
ObjectiveScientists and espially physicists are often confronted with questions
related to the problems of energy and the environment.
The lecture tries to address the physical principles of todays and tomorrow
energy use and the resulting global consequences for the world climate.

The lecture is for students which are interested
participate in a rational and responsible debatte about the
energyproblem of the 21. century.
ContentIntroduction: energy types, energy carriers, energy density
and energy usage. How much energy does a human needs/uses?

Energy conservation and the first and second law of thermodynamics

Fossile fuels (our stored energy resources) and their use.

Burning fossile fuels and the physics of the greenhouse effect.

physics basics of nuclear fission and fusion energy

controlled nuclear fission energy today, the different types of
nuclear power plants, uranium requirements and resources,
natural and artificial radioactivity and the related waste problems
from the nuclear fuel cycle.

Nuclear reactor accidents and the consequences,
a comparison with risks from other energy using methods.

The problems with nuclear fusion and the ITER project.

Nuclear fusion and fission: ``exotic'' ideas.

Hydrogen as an energy carrier: ideas and limits of a
hydrogen economy.

new clean renewable energy sources and their physical limits
(wind, solar, geothermal etc)

Energy perspectives for the next 100 years and some
final remarks
Lecture notesmany more details (in english and german) here:

Link
LiteratureDie Energiefrage - Bedarf und Potentiale, Nutzung, Risiken und Kosten:
Klaus Heinloth, 2003, VIEWEG ISBN: 3528131063;

Environmental Physics: Boeker and Egbert New York Wiley 1999
Prerequisites / NoticeScience promised us truth, or at least a knowledge
of such relations as our intelligence can seize:
it never promised us peace or happiness
Gustave Le Bon

Physicists learned to realize that whether they like a theory or
they don't like a theory is not the essential question.
Rather, it's whether or not the theory gives predictions that agree with experiment.
Richard Feynman, 1985
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