FYS3510 – Subatomic physics with applications in astrophysics
Course description
Schedule, syllabus and examination date
Course content
- Basic concepts in High Energy Particle and Heavy Ion Physics: symmetries, interactions, particle exchange, scattering, cross-sections, decay rates, relativistic kinematics, and quantum numbers.
- Leptons, quarks, hadrons. Strong interaction: colour, quantum chromo dynamics (QCD). Bound states: mesons and baryons. Deep inelastic scattering. Parton distribution functions. Weak interactions and electroweak unification, charged and neutral currents. Masses of bosons and of fermions. Spontaneous symmetry breaking and Higgs mechanism. Flavour oscillations, CP and T violation. Neutrino properties. The Standard Model and beyond, Grand Unification, Supersymmetry, Dark Matter, Antimatter.
- Fundamental aspects of Nucleon interactions. Nuclei, nuclear stability and nuclear forces. Nuclear models. Radioactivity. Fission. Fusion. Relativistic heavy-ion collisions. Strongly interacting matter. Quark-gluon plasma.
Learning outcome
The students are given an introduction to modern subatomic physics, with emphasis on elementary particle physics: the theoretical background and experimental support of the Standard Model of fundamental particles (fermions and bosons) and their interactions (mediated by gauge bosons). Physics of the early universe will be briefly discussed. The course explains how quarks build-up hadrons and how nucleons make up nuclei. Basic knowledge of some important properties and phenomenology of nuclei and their interactions at high energies are summarised. This course gives a foundation for advanced courses in experimental and theoretical particle physics and high-energy nuclear physics.
After the course, students are expected to know about:
- Basic concepts behind subatomic physics
- Symmetries and conservation laws
- Relativistic kinematics, Dirac equation basics
- Collisions and decays, basic interactions and Feynman graphs
- Properties of elementary particles, quantum numbers: spin, isospin, electric and colour charges
- Leptons, quarks, gauge bosons: fermions and bosons
- The Standard Model of electroweak and strong interactions
- Classification of matter particles and force particles
- Fundamental interactions
- Quantum electrodynamics (QED) and the photon
- Weak interactions and Electroweak unification: Neutrinos; C, P, T, CP violations; Masses and flavor oscillations; Electroweak symmetry breaking and Higgs mechanism
- Quantum chromo dynamics (QCD), asymptotic freedom and confinement: Coloured quarks and gluons; Hadrons: baryons and mesons.
- Introduction to Nucleon interactions and Heavy ion collisions at High Energies
- Nuclei, nuclear stability and nuclear forces
- Nuclear models, nuclear interactions, radioactivity, nuclear fission
- Nuclear fusion in astrophysics environment
- Phase transitions; phase diagram of strongly interacting matter
- Quark-gluon plasma: phenomenology and signatures
- Open issues and possible answers
- Grand unification, super symmetry Dark Matter, Antimatter
- The early Universe
- The Large Hadron Collider program
Admission
Students who are admitted to study programmes at UiO must each semester register which courses and exams they wish to sign up for in Studentweb.
If you are not already enrolled as a student at UiO, please see our information about admission requirements and procedures.
Prerequisites
Formal prerequisite knowledge
In addition to fulfilling the Higher Education Entrance Qualification, applicants have to meet the following special admission requirements:
-
Mathematics R1 (or Mathematics S1 and S2) + R2
And in addition one of these:
- Physics (1+2)
- Chemistry (1+2)
- Biology (1+2)
- Information technology (1+2)
- Geosciences (1+2)
- Technology and theories of research (1+2)
The special admission requirements may also be covered by equivalent studies from Norwegian upper secondary school or by other equivalent studies (in Norwegian).
Recommended previous knowledge
We strongly reccomend previous knowledge corresponding to the following courses at the University of Oslo: FYS-MEK1110 – Mechanics (discontinued), FYS1120 – Electromagnetism, FYS2130 – Oscillations and Waves, FYS2140 – Quantum Physics, FYS2160 – Thermodynamics and Statistical Physics and FYS3110 – Quantum Mechanics.
Overlapping courses
5 credits overlap against FYS270 and FYS280.
Teaching
The course is given in the spring term and contains 4 hours of teaching per week. Some exercise sessions will be organized. Compulsory problems will be included (~4 series or projects)
Examination
At least 3 sets of compulsory problems. Normally a final oral exam will be held at the end of the semester. If more than 12 students take the exam, a written exam will be organised instead of the oral.
Grading scale
Grades are awarded on a scale from A to F, where A is the best grade and F is a fail. Read more about the grading system.
Explanations and appeals
Resit an examination
Students who can document a valid reason for absence from the regular examination are offered a postponed examination at the beginning of the next semester.
Re-scheduled examinations are not offered to students who withdraw during, or did not pass the original examination.
Special examination arrangements
Application form, deadline and requirements for special examination arrangements.
Evaluation
The course is subject to continuous evaluation. At regular intervals we also ask students to participate in a more comprehensive evaluation.