SI2400 Theoretical Particle Physics 7.5 credits

Course contents

Introductory survey. Conservation laws. Basic reaction theory. Feynman diagrams. Lorentz invariance. One particle states. Binary reactions. Determination of mass. Scattering theory (the S-matrix, decay rate, scattering cross-section). Symmetries. Time-reversal. Space-reflection. Charge conjugation. Determination of spin and parity of particles. Isospin. Strangeness. The quark model. Color. Hadron spectroscopy. Quarkonium. Electroweak interaction of quarks. The Higgs mechanism. Deep inelastic scattering. Neutrino physics. Neutrino oscillations.

Intended learning outcomes

After completion of the course you should be able to:

• know and describe the standard model of particle physics.
• compute decay rates and cross-sections with help of relativistic kinematics.
• use symmetries to restrict the form of the S-matrix, for example, isospin, discrete symmetries, and spacetime symmetries.
• give an account of and describe the static properties of the hadrons from the quark model.
• know the basic principles of the electroweak theory.
• have knowledge about how deep inelastic scattering shows the existence of quarks in the nucleons.
• know about basic neutrino physics and describe neutrino oscillations.

Course disposition

No information inserted

Specific prerequisites

Recommended prerequisites:
Relativity Theory.
Advanced Quantum Mechanics.
Relativistic Quantum Physics (recommended).

Recommended prerequisites

No information inserted

Equipment

No information inserted

Literature

The course book is:

• D. Griffiths, Introduction to Elementary Particles, 2nd rev. ed, Wiley-VCH (2008)

There are also several other books that can be used:

• W.N. Cottingham and D.A. Greenwood, An Introduction to the Standard Model of Particle Physics, 2nd ed., Cambridge (2007)
• F. Halzen and A.D. Martin, Quarks and Leptons, Wiley (1984)
• Q. Ho-Kim and X.-Y. Pham, Elementary Particles and Their Interactions - Concepts and Phenomena, Springer (1998)
• A. Seiden, Particle Physics - A Comprehensive Introduction, Addison-Wesley (2005)
• H. Snellman, Elementary Particle Physics, KTH (2004)
• M. Thomson, Modern Particle Physics, Cambridge (2013)

If the course is discontinued, students may request to be examined during the following two academic years.

Grading scale

A, B, C, D, E, FX, F

Examination

• INL1 - Assignments, 4.5 credits, grading scale: A, B, C, D, E, FX, F
• TEN1 - Examination, 3.0 credits, grading scale: P, F

Based on recommendation from KTH’s coordinator for disabilities, the examiner will decide how to adapt an examination for students with documented disability.

The examiner may apply another examination format when re-examining individual students.

Other requirements for final grade

Hand in assignments (INL1; 4,5 university credits) and a theory exam (TEN1; 3 university credits).

Opportunity to complete the requirements via supplementary examination

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Opportunity to raise an approved grade via renewed examination

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Examiner

Sandhya Choubey

Ethical approach

• All members of a group are responsible for the group's work.
• In any assessment, every student shall honestly disclose any help received and sources used.
• In an oral assessment, every student shall be able to present and answer questions about the entire assignment and solution.

Course web

Further information about the course can be found on the Course web at the link below. Information on the Course web will later be moved to this site.

Offered by

SCI/Undergraduate Physics

Main field of study

Physics

Education cycle

Second cycle

Add-on studies

No information inserted

Contact

Sandhya Choubey