PH6602: Particle Physics and Gauge Theory

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Course Information

L-T-P-C3-0-0-3
Prerequisites PH5007, PH5008

Syllabus

Module 1: Foundations & Relativistic Kinematics

Lecture hours: 10 · Tutorial hours: 0 · Lab hours: 0

Overview of elementary particles and their interactions, Basics of relativistic mechanics and kinematics, Lorentz invariance and Fermi's Golden Rule, Observables in scattering and decay such as cross-sections, lifetimes, and branching ratios, Expressions for cross-sections and decay rates, Lorentz-invariant phase space, Transition from non-relativistic to relativistic quantum mechanics .

Module 2: Relativistic theory of spin-0, spin-1/2, and spin-1 particles

Lecture hours: 7 · Tutorial hours: 0 · Lab hours: 0

Klein-Gordon equation, Dirac equation, Spin and helicity, Solutions of the Dirac equation and their physical interpretation (positive and negative energy states, spinors), Gamma matrices and Clifford algebra, Electromagnetic field strength tensor, Polarization vectors of spin-1 particles, and implications of gauge invariance .

Module 3: Quantum Electrodynamics (QED) & Feynman Diagrams

Lecture hours: 8 · Tutorial hours: 0 · Lab hours: 0

Perturbation theory and Feynman diagrams, QED Feynman rules, Calculation of the e+e- → μ+μ- process in QED, Calculation of helicity amplitudes, Moller and Bhabha scattering, Crossing symmetry between scattering and annihilation processes, Hadron production via electron-positron annihilation .

Module 4: Symmetries, Gauge Theory, and Weak Interaction

Lecture hours: 8 · Tutorial hours: 0 · Lab hours: 0

Discrete symmetries (P, C, T) and continuous symmetries, Conservation laws and Noether's theorem, U(1) local gauge symmetry and QED, Non-Abelian gauge symmetry, QCD and electroweak interactions, V-A structure of the weak interaction and parity violation in beta decay, Discovery and properties of the W and Z bosons, Muon decay and energy distribution, Introduction of the Cabibbo angle and the CKM matrix, CP violation and neutral meson oscillations .

Module 5: Spontaneous Symmetry Breaking and the Standard Model

Lecture hours: 9 · Tutorial hours: 0 · Lab hours: 0

Spontaneous symmetry breaking, Higgs mechanism, Spontaneous breaking of SU(2)_L × U(1)_Y, Mass generation for W and Z via the Higgs mechanism, Higgs discovery at LHC, Brief overview of HEP experiments, The complete Standard Model Lagrangian: gauge, Higgs, Yukawa, and fermionic kinetic terms .

Study Materials

Textbooks

  1. Modern Particle Physics, Mark Thomson, Cambridge University Press (2013), ISBN: 978-1107034266
  2. Quarks and Leptons: An Introductory Course in Modern Particle Physics, Francis Halzen and Alan D. Martin, Wiley (2008), ISBN: 978-0471887416

References

  1. Introduction to Elementary Particles, David Griffiths, Wiley-VCH, 2nd Edition (2008), ISBN: 978-3527406012
  2. Gauge Theories in Particle Physics: A Practical Introduction, Vols. 1 & 2, Ian J. R. Aitchison and Anthony J. G. Hey, CRC Press, 4th Edition (2013), ISBN: 978-0849387750 (Vol. 1), 978-0849387767 (Vol. 2)