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402-0770-10L 4 Credits MSC D-PHYS

Muon Decays in the Standard Model and Beyond

VVZ CR n/a

Last Updated: 2026-06-01 11:31:28

Abstract

The course focuses on muon decays to illustrate and apply experimental and theoretical concepts used in the high-intensity and high-precision frontier of low-energy particle physics. This includes measured muon decays in the Standard Model as well as the search and interpretation of decays induced by new physics.

Objective

The core objective is to illustrate the interplay between experimental and theoretical work in the context of high-precision low-energy particle physics. The students will get familiar with the basic experimental techniques to produce muons, measure the decay products, and evaluate their fundamental properties. They will learn how to determine Standard Model parameters from these decays, as well as how to obtain experimental exclusion limits on beyond-the-Standard-Model (BSM) scenarios. An overview over past, current, and future experimental activities will be given. Quantum field theory methods will be applied to predict decay rates for various processes, including radiative corrections. BSM scenarios will be treated with an effective-field-theory approach as well as simplified models and the interpretation of experimental results in these contexts will be discussed.

Content

- discovery of muon - Michel decay, radiative decay - muonic atom and muonium - lepton-flavour violating decays - experimental methodologies to study muons - basics of effective field theory - simplified models with low-mass BSM particles

General Information

Language
English
Levels
MSC

Examination

Type
ungraded semester performance
Submission of an extended abstract and theory for an experiment and presentation in groups.

Course Components

Type Title Time & Place Hours
lecture Muon Decays in the Standard Model and Beyond
  • Thu 09:45-11:30 (HCI E 8)
2 h weekly

Offered In