Learning objectives
Referring to knowledge
Understand the mechanisms, techniques and characteristic parameters of particle accelerators
Learn the working principles of modern detection instruments
Understand the requirements and considerations that determine the design of a modern particle physics or astrophysics experiment
Understand the techniques for the reconstruction of particle physics and astrophysical data
Application of machine learning and data analysis techniques to particle physics and astrophysics data
Teaching blocks
1. Requirements of particle physics experiments
1.1. Particle production and detection
1.2. Measurements and observables
2. Requirements of astrophysical observations
2.1. Radiative processes in astrophysics
2.2. Astroparticles: cosmic rays, neutrinos, solar/stellar winds
3. Particle accelerators
3.1. Types of accelerators
3.2. Acceleration techniques
4. Detection techniques
4.1. Scintillators
4.2. Tracking with gas and solid detectors
4.3. Silicon detectors
4.4. Calorimetry
4.5. Cherenkov radiation detectors
5. Design of high energy physics experiments
5.1. Physics program and main characteristics
5.2. Trajectory and momentum measurement
5.3. Energy measurement
5.4. Particle identification
6. Data acquisition and processing
6.1. Trigger and data acquisition systems
6.2. Calibration techniques
6.3. Reconstruction methods
6.4. Offline data storage and processing
7. Astrophysical instrumentation
7.1. Optical and radio telescopes
7.2. X-ray and Gamma-ray telescopes
7.3. Cosmic-rays, Neutrino and Gravitational-Wave detectors
8. Astrophysical observation techniques
8.1. The effect of the atmosphere in astronomical observations
8.2. Site testing and characterisation
8.3. Adaptive and active optics in optical telescopes
8.4. Detectors: concepts and characterisation
9. Practical exercises
9.1. Data analysis: machine learning and fitting techniques; hands-on sessions
9.2. Measurement of the ALBA synchrotron beam emittance
9.3. Measurement of the muon lifetime
9.4. Astrophysical observation at Parc Astronòmic del Montsec
9.5. [OPTIONAL] Astrophysical proposal and observation at Calar Alto Astronomical Observatory
9.6. Data analysis: cloud computing hands-on sessions
9.7. Data analysis: X-rays using Chandra data; hands-on sessions
9.8. Data analysis: High-Energy gamma-rays using Fermi-LAT data; hands-on sessions
9.9. Data analysis: Very High Energy gamma-rays using CTA/Monte Carlo simulations and publicly available H.E.S.S. data; hands-on sessions
Official assessment of learning outcomes
Grading is based on the assessment of the reports submitted for the computer, lab and field exercises, and the supervised project report and presentation.
Examination-based assessment
Students have to submit the assignments following the instructions from the lecturers. Once the assignments have been assessed, students take an oral exam on their contents. If this exam is successfully passed, the final grade is calculated from the marks of the assignments; otherwise, the subject is graded as failed.
Reading and study resources
Check availability in Cercabib
Book
Fernow, Richard, Introduction to experimental particle physics, Cambridge University Press cop. 1986
https://cercabib.ub.edu/permalink/34CSUC_UB/18sfiok/alma991003985719706708 Enllaç
Cahn, Robert N, The experimental foundations of particle physics, Cambridge ; New York : Cambridge University Press 2009
https://cercabib.ub.edu/permalink/34CSUC_UB/18sfiok/alma991004398829706708 Enllaç
Leonardo Rossi et al., Pixel detectors : from fundamentals to applications, Berlin [etc.] : Springer, cop. 2006
https://cercabib.ub.edu/discovery/search?vid=34CSUC_UB:VU1&search_scope=MyInst_and_CI&query=any,contains,b2181103* Enllaç
“Radiative Processes in Astrophysics”, Rybicki, G. B. and Lightman, A. P., Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH, 1985
ISBN: 9780471827597
https://cercabib.ub.edu/permalink/34CSUC_UB/13d0big/alma991008156709706708 Enllaç
“Radiation Detection and Measurement”, Glenn F. Knoll, Wiley, 2010 (4th ed)
ISBN: 978-0-470-13148-0
https://cercabib.ub.edu/permalink/34CSUC_UB/13d0big/alma991004686189706708 Enllaç
“Astrophysical Techniques”, C.R. Kitchin, CRC Press, 2021 (7th ed)
ISBN: 9781138591202
https://cercabib.ub.edu/permalink/34CSUC_UB/13d0big/alma991008045649706708 Enllaç
“Very high energy cosmic gamma radiation : a crucial window on the extreme Universe”, F. A. Aharonian, World Scientific Publishing, 2004
ISBN: 978-9810245733
https://cercabib.ub.edu/permalink/34CSUC_UB/13d0big/alma991009280089706708 Enllaç
“Handbook of X-ray and Gamma-ray Astrophysics”, C. Bambi & A. Santangelo, Springer Nature Singapore, 2023, ISBN: 9789811969591
“Particles and Astrophysics: A Multi-Messenger Approach”, M. Spurio, Springer Link, 2017
ISBN: 978-3-319-34539-0
"Fundamentos de fotometría astronómica", Galadí-Enríquez, D., Marcombo, 2018. ISBN: 978-84-267-2576-9
"De la Tierra al Universo", Galadí-Enríquez, D., Gutiérrez Cabello, J., AKAL, 2022. ISBN: 9788446051459
Web page
R.L. Workman et al. (Particle Data Group), Prog. Theor. Exp. Phys. 2022, 083C01 (2022)
More information at: http://grad.ub.edu/grad3/plae/AccesInformePDInfes?curs=2023&assig=575606&ens=M0D0B&recurs=pladocent&n2=1&idioma=ENG