ID:
509319
Duration (hours):
72
CFU:
9
SSD:
FISICA NUCLEARE E SUBNUCLEARE
Year:
2025
Overview
Date/time interval
Annualità Singola (22/09/2025 - 05/06/2026)
Syllabus
Course Objectives
The first part of the course (36 hours, 4.5 ECT) provides the basic notions of the physics of nuclei, with particular attention to the definition of the most important observables, to the methodology of their measurement, and to the most significant experiments.
The atomic nuclei are analyzed and through the study of their properties, some characteristics of the strong nuclear interaction are outlined that the students will deepen in dedicated courses.
The issues are introduced by describing the phenomenology, the approach used in the measurements and a quantitative description is given whenever it is possible to use simple calculation methods. Through the course the analogy of the description of nuclei with other many-body systems is highlighted and the specific technologies and methodologies of this sector are outlined. The most current research topics in this area are also mentioned.
The second part of the course (36 hours, 4.5 CFU) provides the basic knowledge of subnuclear physics, by means of a phenomenological and historical approach to the different steps which lead to the Standard Model of particle physics. Basic elements of particle detection are given, together with the key elements of fundamental symmetries and conservation laws. The fundamental interactions are then investigated, starting from the electromagnetic force, which works as a benchmark for the other interactions, moving then to the strong and weak forces. Hints of the unified electroweak interaction are also given, together with a primer about the complete Standard Model description.
At the end of the course the student will have acquired a basic knowledge of nucleus and subnuclear physics, which serves as a support for those who intend to deepen this discipline in dedicated courses and which in any case provides introductory training also for those who will dedicate themselves to other disciplines. The student will be able to perform simple calculations of nuclear phenomena and reactions, and to solve basic problems relative to particle interactions.
The atomic nuclei are analyzed and through the study of their properties, some characteristics of the strong nuclear interaction are outlined that the students will deepen in dedicated courses.
The issues are introduced by describing the phenomenology, the approach used in the measurements and a quantitative description is given whenever it is possible to use simple calculation methods. Through the course the analogy of the description of nuclei with other many-body systems is highlighted and the specific technologies and methodologies of this sector are outlined. The most current research topics in this area are also mentioned.
The second part of the course (36 hours, 4.5 CFU) provides the basic knowledge of subnuclear physics, by means of a phenomenological and historical approach to the different steps which lead to the Standard Model of particle physics. Basic elements of particle detection are given, together with the key elements of fundamental symmetries and conservation laws. The fundamental interactions are then investigated, starting from the electromagnetic force, which works as a benchmark for the other interactions, moving then to the strong and weak forces. Hints of the unified electroweak interaction are also given, together with a primer about the complete Standard Model description.
At the end of the course the student will have acquired a basic knowledge of nucleus and subnuclear physics, which serves as a support for those who intend to deepen this discipline in dedicated courses and which in any case provides introductory training also for those who will dedicate themselves to other disciplines. The student will be able to perform simple calculations of nuclear phenomena and reactions, and to solve basic problems relative to particle interactions.
Course Prerequisites
Basic background in classical physics and quantum mechanics, as well as basic knowledge of special relativity.
Teaching Methods
Frontal lessons, trying to maintain a high interactive level with the students.
A copy of the slides used during the lessons is provided to the students. Handouts with notes from the teacher are also provided for the nuclear physics program.
A copy of the slides used during the lessons is provided to the students. Handouts with notes from the teacher are also provided for the nuclear physics program.
Assessment Methods
Oral interview.
The oral exam is always conducted by the professors in charge and has a duration that varies between about 30 and about 50 minutes. It is divided into a fixed number of questions that relate to the exam program and allows the commission to ascertain the acquisition of knowledge relating to the topics of the course, with particular attention to critical reasoning skills and the use of an appropriate vocabulary.
The oral exam is always conducted by the professors in charge and has a duration that varies between about 30 and about 50 minutes. It is divided into a fixed number of questions that relate to the exam program and allows the commission to ascertain the acquisition of knowledge relating to the topics of the course, with particular attention to critical reasoning skills and the use of an appropriate vocabulary.
Texts
For the Nuclear physics program: lecture notes by the professor.
For further consultation we recommend:
Brian R. Martin, Graham Shaw, "Nuclear and particle Physics", Wiley & Sons, 3rd edition.
For the Subnuclear physics program:
M. Thomson, "Modern Particle Physics", Cambridge University Press.
For further consultation we recommend:
Brian R. Martin, Graham Shaw, "Nuclear and particle Physics", Wiley & Sons, 3rd edition.
For the Subnuclear physics program:
M. Thomson, "Modern Particle Physics", Cambridge University Press.
Contents
Atoms and nuclei: properties of atoms, Thomson's experiment and charge / mass ratio of the electron, first atomic models (Thomson), scattering
of Rutherford, atomic model of Rutherford, the atomic nucleus and its components (protons and neutrons).
Properties of nuclei: size, radius, mass, binding energy, stability, spin, parity, electromagnetic moments.
Nuclear interaction and nucleon-nucleon potential.
Nucleus models: liquid drop model and semi-empirical formula for the mass, Fermi model, nuclear shell model.
Nuclear reactions: general introduction, cross section, reaction processes, reactions with the formation of a compound nucleus, direct reactions.
Fission: reaction with neutrons, fission, neutron induced fission, uranium fission, chain reactions, nuclear reactors.
Nuclear fusion.
Radioactivity: life time of nuclei, probability and law of decay, radioactive series.
Alpha, beta, gamma decays.
Notes on the quark structure of baryons and mesons.
Applications of nuclear physics: 14C method for archaeological dating, nuclear medicine, industrial and analytical applications.
General structure of the Standard Model: particle and interactions, natural units.
Particles in the space-time, particle decays and two- and three-bodies kinematics, Fermi golden rule. Phase space of a decay, instable particles. Scattering: fixed target and colliding beams.
Measurements in particle physics. Bubble chambers and discovery of the antimatter. Detection technologies. Gas and tracking detectors. Simulation of radiation-matter interaction. Colliders, particle detectors at colliders.
Symmetries in QM, symmetry classification, translation and rotation. Inversion, parity operator. Intrinsic parity of the elementary particles, C- and T-parity, CPT theorem.
Klein-Gordon and Dirac equations. Classical electrodynamics and relativity. Introduction to quantum electrodynamics (QED). Feynman rules for QED. Perturbative approach.
Strong interactions: color charge and color symmetry. Hints of quantum chromodynamics (QCD), Feynman rules for QCD. Jets and QCD predictions. Flavor symmetry in strong interactions.
Weak interactions: conservation laws and symmetries. Parity violation. V-A theory, Salam-Weinberg weak theory. Discovery of the weak neutral currents and of Z and W± bosons. Precision measurements at LEP.
Hints of the Higgs mechanism, Higgs boson discovery. Yukawa sector of the SM: leptons and quarks. Hints of the SM open problems.
of Rutherford, atomic model of Rutherford, the atomic nucleus and its components (protons and neutrons).
Properties of nuclei: size, radius, mass, binding energy, stability, spin, parity, electromagnetic moments.
Nuclear interaction and nucleon-nucleon potential.
Nucleus models: liquid drop model and semi-empirical formula for the mass, Fermi model, nuclear shell model.
Nuclear reactions: general introduction, cross section, reaction processes, reactions with the formation of a compound nucleus, direct reactions.
Fission: reaction with neutrons, fission, neutron induced fission, uranium fission, chain reactions, nuclear reactors.
Nuclear fusion.
Radioactivity: life time of nuclei, probability and law of decay, radioactive series.
Alpha, beta, gamma decays.
Notes on the quark structure of baryons and mesons.
Applications of nuclear physics: 14C method for archaeological dating, nuclear medicine, industrial and analytical applications.
General structure of the Standard Model: particle and interactions, natural units.
Particles in the space-time, particle decays and two- and three-bodies kinematics, Fermi golden rule. Phase space of a decay, instable particles. Scattering: fixed target and colliding beams.
Measurements in particle physics. Bubble chambers and discovery of the antimatter. Detection technologies. Gas and tracking detectors. Simulation of radiation-matter interaction. Colliders, particle detectors at colliders.
Symmetries in QM, symmetry classification, translation and rotation. Inversion, parity operator. Intrinsic parity of the elementary particles, C- and T-parity, CPT theorem.
Klein-Gordon and Dirac equations. Classical electrodynamics and relativity. Introduction to quantum electrodynamics (QED). Feynman rules for QED. Perturbative approach.
Strong interactions: color charge and color symmetry. Hints of quantum chromodynamics (QCD), Feynman rules for QCD. Jets and QCD predictions. Flavor symmetry in strong interactions.
Weak interactions: conservation laws and symmetries. Parity violation. V-A theory, Salam-Weinberg weak theory. Discovery of the weak neutral currents and of Z and W± bosons. Precision measurements at LEP.
Hints of the Higgs mechanism, Higgs boson discovery. Yukawa sector of the SM: leptons and quarks. Hints of the SM open problems.
Course Language
Italian
More information
Students who fall under special categories (refer to portale.unipv.it/it/didattica/servizi-lo-studente/modalita-didattiche-inclusive for details) have access to course materials via KIRO. Upon request, they may also be granted permission to view recorded lectures from previous academic years through a dedicated link activated on KIRO. They are invited to contact the lecturer for online meetings and eventual group activities. E-mail address of the professors: barbara.pasquini@unipv.it daniela.rebuzzi@unipv.it
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Bachelor’s Degree
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