Introduction to elementary particles and interactions and nuclear physics.

Degree competences (all transversal):

G001. Learn to pose and solve problems correctly.

G005. Be able to organize, plan and learn autonomously.

G006. Be able to analyze, synthesize and reason critically.

G008. Be able to present ideas, problems and scientific results orally and in writing.



Competences of the Solid State Physics module:

CM01. Acquire the necessary knowledge to reach a global understanding of the basic theoretical principles of the Physics of Condensed Matter.

CM02. Correctly propose and solve problems involving the main concepts of Solid State Physics in order to acquire the basic knowledge of this branch of Physics.

CM03. To document and pose in an organized manner subjects related to the Physics of Condensed Matter to strengthen or expand knowledge and to discern between the important and the accessory.

CM04. Orally expose problems and questions about Condensed Matter Physics to learn to develop skills in scientific oral communication.

Program:

**Introduction: fundamental interactions and particles. Symmetries and conservation laws.

** Nuclei: Mass formulae. Size. Spin, dipolar moments. Estability, pairing, magic numbers. Instability. Phenomenology of the nuclear force.

** Nuclear Models: Liquid Drop model. Fermi Gas model. Nuclear Shell model, potentials. Collective models.

** Radioactive decay. Alpha, beta, gamma. Radioactivity.

** Complements (the lecturer will choose each year; the first choice veers to more fundamental aspects, and must be balanced with topics on particle physics, while the second choice is more applied, and only selected topics will be presented)

*** Nucleon-nucleon interaction. Deuteron. Isospin. Pion as a carrier particle.

*** Applications:

**** Fission. Fusion. Radioactive balance. Radioactive dating.

**** Energy transport and deposition. Charged particle: multiple scattering, ionization, bremsstrahlung. Photons: photoelectric effect, Compton scattering, pair production. Neutrons: transport equation. Clustering, thermal, epithermal, fast neutrons. Moderation.

**** Detection: ionization, regimes; scintillation; time of flight; Cherenkov; calorimetry.

**** Accelerators.

** Quantum electrodynamics. Basic process.

** CPT invariance. Discrete symmetries violation.

** Weak force. W^\pm, Z^0, neutrinos, beta decay, Higgs.

** Strong force: mesons; barions and colour. Quarks and gluons, QCD.

** Beyond the standard model.

Lectures on theoretical aspects, and example sessions.

• Final Assessment System
• Tools and qualification percentages:
  • Written test to be taken (%): 100

Up to 30% of the final marks might be determined by the assessment of individual work on take home examples proposed during term.



There is no administrative penalty for sitting out the first call of the exam; you will not thus lose the right to resits.



If the public health situation demands it, the exam might take place online. In such a case, part of the exam might be a public oral defence.

There is no administrative penalty for sitting out this call of the exam; you will not thus lose the right to resits.





If the public health situation demands it, the exam might take place online. In such a case, part of the exam might be a public oral defence.

Basic bibliography

- W.N. COTTINGHAM, D.A. GREENWOOD: An Introduction to Nuclear Physics.

- T.P. CHENG, L.F. LI: Gauge Theory of Elementary Particles.

In-depth bibliography

- Particles and Nuclei: An Introduction to the Physical Concepts, Bogdan Povh,
Klaus Rith, Christoph Scholz and Frank Zetsche, Springer.
- Física Nuclear y de Partículas, Antonio Ferrer Soria, Universitat de València.
- An Introduction to Nuclear Physics, W. N. Cottingham and D. A. Greenwod,
Cambridge University Press.
- Elementary Particle Physics in a Nutshell, Christopher G. Tully, Princeton
University Press.
- Modern Particle Physics, Mark Thomson, Cambridge University Press.
- An Introduction to the Standard Model of Particle Physics, W. N. Cottingham
and D. A. Greenwod, Cambridge University Press.
- Introduction to High Energy Physics, Donald H. Perkins, Cambridge University
Press.
- Introduction to Elementary Particle Physics, Alessandro Bettini, Cambridge
University Press.
- Principles of Quantum Mechanics, R. Shankar, Springer.

Web addresses

http://pdg.web.cern.ch/pdg/index.html
https://www.nndc.bnl.gov/nudat2/