HADRONIC PHYSICS WITH ELECTROWEAK PROBES

The main objective is to provide students, regardless of the curriculum of studies they have chosen, advanced training in nuclear and particle physics, with particular reference to the structure of the hadronic matter, to the force of electroweak interaction and to the physics of neutrinos. The course will allow direct involvement in experiments underway at Jefferson Lab and FermiLab. The approach followed is observational-experimental.

Knowledge and understanding

Critical understanding of the most advanced developments of Modern Physics, both theoretical and experimental, and their interrelations. Adequate knowledge of advanced mathematical and numerical tools, currently used in both basic and applied research. Remarkable acquaintance with the scientific method, understanding of nature, and of the research in Physics.

Applying knowledge and understanding

Ability to identify the essential elements in a phenomenon, in terms of orders of magnitude and approximation level, and being able to perform the required approximations. Ability to use analytical and numerical tools, or science computing, including the development of specific software.

Making judgements

Ability to convey own interpretations of physical phenomena, when discussing within a research team.

Communication skills

Ability to discuss about advanced physical concepts, both in Italian and in English. Ability to present one's own research activity or a review topic both to an expert and to an non-expert audience.

Learning skills

Ability to acquire adequate tools for the continuous update of one's knowledge. Ability to access to specialized literature both in the specific field of one's expertise, and in closely related fields. Ability to exploit databases and bibliographical and scientific resources to extract information and suggestions to better frame and develop one's study and research activity. Ability to acquire, through individual study, knowledge in new scientific fields.

The teaching will be carried out through lectures and hands-on sessions (hardware and/or software).

Methods and production techniques of electroweak probes.

1) Interaction of charged particles with matter. Polarization effects. Cerenkov radiation. Multiple Scattering.

2) Interaction of photons with matter. Production of photon beams: a) Bremsstrahlung on: i) amorphous matter and ii) crystals; b) Positron annihilation in flight; c) Compton backscattering of laser light on electrons. Features of the polarized beams.

3) Muon neutrino beams and their production by charged particle accelerators - Neutrinos produced in the Earth's atmosphere - Neutrinos of astrophysical origin.

Properties of hadronic matter.

4) Photonuclear reactions. Emission of photoneutrons. Photo-production of mesons.

5) Baryonic resonances and their excitation. Electron scattering experiments on hadron target currently underway at Jefferson Lab.

Particle detection and high energy radiation.

6) Cosmic rays. Cosmic muons. Detection of muons and neutrinos

7) Electromagnetic and Hadronic showers. Electromagnetic calorimeters. Hadronic calorimeters.

8) Time Projection Chambers and their use in High Energy Physics. ICARUS TPC for short range oscillation experiments at the FermiLab.

1) E. Segrè: Nuclei and particles; Zanichelli, Bologna
2) W.S.C. Williams: Nuclear and Particle Physics; Clarendon Press, Oxford
3) C. Gruben – B. Shwartz: Particle Detectors; Cambridge Monographs 9780521840064