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Low Energy Particle Physics
Last Updated: 2026-06-03 00:07:40
Abstract
Low energy particle physics provides complementary information to high energy physics with colliders. In this lecture, we will concentrate on flagship experiments which have significantly improved our understanding of particle physics today, concentrating mainly on precision experiments with neutrons, muons and exotic atoms.
Objective
You will be able to present and discuss: - the principle of the experiments - the underlying technique and methods - the context and the impact of these experiments on particle physics
Content
Low energy particle physics provides complementary information to high energy physics with colliders. At the Large Hadron Collider one directly searches for new particles at energies up to the TeV range. In a complementary way, low energy particle physics indirectly probes the existence of such particles and provides constraints for "new physics", making use of high precision and high intensities. Besides the sensitivity to effects related with new physics (e.g. lepton flavor violation, symmetry violations, CPT tests, search for electric dipole moments, new low mass exchange bosons etc.), low energy physics provides the best test of QED (electron g-2), the best tests of bound-state QED (atomic physics and exotic atoms), precise determinations of fundamental constants, information about the CKM matrix, precise information on the weak and strong force even in the non-perturbative regime etc. Starting from a general introduction on high intensity/high precision particle physics and the main characteristics of muons and neutrons and their production, we will then focus on the discussion of fundamental problems and ground-breaking experiments: - search for rare decays and charged lepton flavor violation - electric dipole moments and CP violation - spectroscopy of exotic atoms and symmetries of the standard model - what atomic physics can do for particle physics and vice versa - neutron decay and primordial nucleosynthesis - atomic clock - Penning traps - Ramsey spectroscopy - Spin manipulation - neutron-matter interaction - ultra-cold neutron production - various techniques: detectors, cryogenics, particle beams, laser cooling....
Resources
Literature
Golub, Richardson & Lamoreaux: "Ultra-Cold Neutrons" Rauch & Werner: "Neutron Interferometry" Carlile & Willis: "Experimental Neutron Scattering" Byrne: "Neutrons, Nuclei and Matter" Klapdor-Kleingrothaus: "Non Accelerator Particle Physics"
General Information
- Language
- English
- Levels
- DR , MSC
- Frequency
- Yearly recurring
Examination
- Type
- session examination
- Mode
- oral 30 minutes
Course Components
| Type | Title | Time & Place | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| lecture | Low Energy Particle Physics | No time listed | 2 h weekly |
| exercise | Low Energy Particle Physics | No time listed | 1 h weekly |
Offered In
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Doctorate Physics (More Information at: )
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Subject Specialisation (Please note that this is an INCOMPLETE list of courses.)
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