Astroparticles 1

This course provides an introduction to astroparticle physics (cosmic gas pedals, gamma rays, multi-messengers, experimental techniques, etc.).

The course builds on knowledge acquired in L3 to provide students with a brief introduction to astroparticle physics. After a description of the general context, two examples of gamma-ray astronomy detectors will be detailed, followed by an introduction to the physics of multi-messenger astrophysics (in particular via the detection of gravitational waves). The course then turns to the physics of cosmic rays (CRs), the problems of CR acceleration and propagation, and the hypothesis of Supernova remnants as galactic CR gas pedals (description of the first-order Fermi acceleration mechanism).

The course will conclude with a description of the cosmological challenges of future large-field ground and space surveys (LSST and Euclid in particular).

This course is an introduction to the basic concepts required for the High Energy Astrophysics course (HAP001P) in semester 3 of the CCP master's program.

General training in physics at L3 level,

- Nuclear and corpuscular physics,

- Mathematics for physics.

Recommended prerequisites :

Basic knowledge of :

- Special relativity and kinematics relativize,

- Nuclear physics,

- Rudimentary knowledge of galactic and extragalactic astrophysics.

3-hour written exam without documents.

Course materials/DD and course/exercise corrections in English. I/ Astroparticle physics overview

1/ Two examples from gamma-ray astronomy

a) Space based observatory (Fermi-LAT)

Ex 1 : GeV Galactic Centre as seen by Fermi-LAT

Ex 2 : Gamma-Ray Bursts and quantum gravity

b) Ground based observatory (HESS)

Ex 1: TeV Galactic Centre as seen by HESS

Ex 2: Supernovae Remnants as source of Cosmic Rays

2/ Astroparticle at LUPM: Modelling, HESS2, CTA, SVOM, LSST

3/ New area: Gravitational waves and the Time Domain Astronomy

II/ Cosmic-Rays :

1/ Cosmic-ray spectra

2/ Number and Energy density of the Cosmic-Rays

3/ Detection of VHE cosmic Rays, the Pierre Auger Observatory

4/ The Greisen-Zatsepin-Kuzmin (GZK) effect

5/ Hillas Diagram

6 Fermi acceleration mechanism

III/ Overview of expected Cosmology results from future wide-area spectroscopic surveys experiments

IV/ Dark Matter (if time left)