Astroparticle Physics
Syllabus, Master's level, 1FA350
- Code
- 1FA350
- Education cycle
- Second cycle
- Main field(s) of study and in-depth level
- Physics A1F
- Grading system
- Fail (U), Pass (3), Pass with credit (4), Pass with distinction (5)
- Finalised by
- The Faculty Board of Science and Technology, 12 March 2009
- Responsible department
- Department of Physics and Astronomy
Entry requirements
120 credits and Elementary Particle Physics, Astrophysics and Cosmology or similar.
Learning outcomes
The course should prepare the students for research in the field of astroparticle physics, providing the necessary background so they can understand the literature and critically evaluate the significance of forthcoming experimental results and developments in the field.
After the course students should:
Be familiar with the fundamental particles and their interactions in situations of relevance in astrophysics and cosmology (ie, early universe, astrophysical objects), including supersymmetry
Be familiar with the current Standard Cosmological Model
Know which kind of astrophysical environments can give rise to extremely high energetic radiation in the form of protons, gamma rays and neutrinos, and be able to explain the physical processes that produce such high energy radiation.
Be able to explain the experimental techniques that are used to detect such radiation, as well as to identify and describe the leading experimental efforts in the field worldwide.
Be able to explain how particle physics determines the evolution of the Universe and how the dark matter problem can be related to particle physics
Be able to name the most common dark matter candidates
Content
Review of the Standard Model and basics of Supersymmetry. Review of the big bang model. Matter, antimatter and radiation in the Universe. The dark matter problem: observational evidence. Candidates of dark matter. Direct detection of dark matter. The high energy universe: active galactic nuclei, gamma ray bursts, micro-quasars. Production and propagation of high energy cosmic rays and neutrinos. Detection techniques: air shower arrays, gamma ray telescopes, neutrino telescopes. Acoustic and radio detection of ultrahigh energetic neutrinos. Indirect detection of dark matter.
Instruction
Lectures
Assessment
Home assignments plus a final written report on a topic chosen by the student among a proposed list, or any other relative to the contents of the course, previous agreement with the teacher.
There will be a home assignment for each lecture topic with a few exercises and/or extended questions. They will be handed out after each lecture and must be returned before the end of the course. In any case before the final written report is due.
The report must follow the structure of a scientific monographic paper.