Relativity and Subatomic Physics

The course builds on the knowledge acquired in L1 and L2 to teach the basics of special relativity (1/3 of the course) and offer students a brief introduction to subatomic particle physics (2/3 of the course). It will thus provide an introduction to the description of the intimate structure of matter. After developing the special relativity tools needed for the rest of the course, we will detail both the study of atomic nuclei (nuclear physics) and that of "elementary" particles (subatomic physics proper). We will give an initial description of the standard model of particle physics and the basic concepts of nuclear physics.

This course is an introduction to the basic concepts required for the "Experimental Astroparticles 1" course (HMPH210) in semester 2 of the CCP master's program.

This course is based on the acquisition of the following concepts:

      - Introduction to Special Relativity 

     - Minkowski space-time and Lorentz-Poincaré transformations

     - Relativistic Mechanics

     - Energy-momentum four-vectors and collisions between elementary particles

    - Atomic nucleus, binding energy

    - Nuclear instability and radioactive transformations

    - Liquid drop model

    - Low-energy nuclear reactions

    - Effective interaction section

    - Concept of detection in subatomic physics

    - Concepts of elementary particles

General physics training at the L2 level

- Newtonian mechanics of the point.

- Mathematics for physics.

100% CT

Course materials/tutorials and corrections of exercises in English and French. Classes in French.

Special Relativity 

     - Introduction to Special Relativity 

     - Minkowski space-time and Lorentz-Poincaré transformations

     - Relativistic Mechanics

     - Energy-momentum four-vectors and collisions between elementary particles

Nuclear and Particle Physics  

1/ The framework:

            A / Introduction, …

            B / Units, conventions, scales, etc.

            C / The birth of particle physics

2/ Nuclear Physics:

            A / Core components

            B / Nomenclature

            C / Binding energy

            D / Liquid drop model

            E / Decay processes

            F / Applications, dosimetry

3/ Particle Physics

            A / Elementary particles and interactions in the standard model

            B / Special relativity and kinematics

            C / Decays and collisions

4/ Cross sections:

            A / Definition

            B / Changes in reference frame

            C / Units and orders of magnitude

            D / Differential and partial cross sections

            E / Cross section computation (classical mechanics), Rutherford scattering

            F / Examples (interaction of CRs with the CMB)

            G / Concept of luminosity in particle colliders

CM: 27 hours

Tutorial: 27 hours