Technologies in precision experiments in nuclear and particle physics

Acquisition of the necessary knowledge to understand the operation of current experiments in nuclear physics and search for dark matter.

LEARNING RESULTS
Along this course "Technoloxias in precision experiments in nuclear and particle physics" the student will practice basic competences related to the use of specific instrumentation for nuclear physics experiments and selected particle physics experiments

The student will be also trained in specific topics related to detection techniques for the treatment and identification of any type of emerging radiation after a reaction.

The study of the minimum contents proposed will provide the students the necessary knowledge to understand the operation of current experiments in nuclear physics and search of dark matter.

• Topic 1: Electromagnetic devices: Introduction to transport and storage of charged particles. Electromagnetic spectrometers Storage rings. Examples of different types of installation. Management of simple simulation programs.

• Topic 2: Gamma radiation detection techniques Basic notions regarding the detection of gamma radiation. Measurement techniques: High resolution spectroscopy, total absorption techniques, calorimetry. Applications of use. Presentation of experiments and type detectors.

• Topic 3: Neutron detection techniques Basic notions of the interaction of neutrons with matter. Neutron moderation neutron detection techniques, time of flight techniques (neutron spectroscopy), total absorption techniques. Reactions induced by neutrons. Applications of use. Presentation of experiments and type detectors.

• Topic 4: Heavy ion detection techniques Ion identification techniques. Determination of the load, determination of the mass, determination of the moment. Examples of experiments and type detectors.

• Topic 5: Experimentation in extreme conditions Dark matter detection: indirect techniques. Measurement techniques in very low background conditions. Experimentation with individual nuclei: ion traps. Examples of experiments and type detectors

• P.N. Poenaru “Experimental Techniques in Nuclear Physcis” , W G de Gruyter 1997
• The Euroschool Lectures on Physics with Exotic Beams vol 1, 2 , 3 y 4 
www.euroschoolonexoticbeams.be/
• S. Naeem Ahmed, "Physics and Engineering of Radiation Detection", Academic Press 2007
• W. R. Leo, "Techniques for Nuclear and Particle Physics Experiments, Springer 1994 
• G. F. Knoll, "Radiation Detection and Measurement", John Wiley & Sons 2010

Online resources

• Virtual Classroom includes all the teaching material and links to open resources.

BASIC AND GENERAL COMPETENCES
CG01 - Acquire the ability to carry out research work in teams.
CG02 - Have a capacity for analysis and synthesis.
CG03 - Acquire the ability to write texts, articles or scientific reports in accordance with the publication standards.
CG04 - Familiarize yourself with the different modalities used to disseminate results and disseminate knowledge in scientific meetings.
CG05 - Apply the knowledge to solve complex problems.
CB6 - Owning and understanding knowledge that provides a basis or opportunity to be original in the development and / or application of ideas, often in a research context
CB7 - That students know how to apply the acquired knowledge and their ability to solve problems in new or unfamiliar environments within broader (or multidisciplinary) contexts related to their area of ​​study
CB8 - That students be able to integrate knowledge and face the complexity of making judgments based on information that, being incomplete or limited, includes reflections on the social and ethical responsibilities linked to the application of their knowledge and judgments
CB9 - That students know how to communicate their conclusions and the latest knowledge and reasons that support them to specialized and non-specialized audiences in a clear and unambiguous way
CB10 - That students have the learning abilities that allow them to continue studying in a way that will have to be largely self-directed or autonomous.

TRANSVERSAL COMPETENCES
CT01 - Ability to interpret texts, documentation, reports and academic articles in English, scientific language par excellence.
CT02 - Develop the capacity for responsible decision making in complex and / or responsible situations.

SPECIFIC COMPETENCES

CE07 - Acquire the training for the use of the main computational tools and the management of the main experimental techniques of Nuclear and Particle Physics.
CE08 - Acquire an in-depth knowledge of the structure of the subject in the regime of low energy and its characterization.

The subject will be developed primarily through lectures, using all available audiovisual media that make the subject matter attractive and educational for the student. In addition, an important fraction of the teaching time is reserved for interactive lectures that will concentrate on the solution of problems in which the main concepts introduced are applied. Practical work and use of simple simulations that help to fix the concepts learned are also foreseen.

The lectures and interactive sessions will be complemented with the realization of a seminars where the development of transversal competences will be promoted (design of an experiment that combines different methods / techniques studied).
The professors will provide acces to all the necessarymaterial for the study of the subject as well as for the realization of the practical work The student will have the corresponding tutoring hours.


Tutoring hours could be face-to-face or telematic: An appointment is needed if they are telematic. This is also preferable for the face-to-face

The evaluation of the subject will be done continuously. The final grade will be obtained from a combination of:




Exceptionally, a final exam of the subject can be made

The course includes 30 total hours of class that will be divided into
- 20 hours theoretical exposure
- 10 hours of practice
- 1 hour individual tutoring

It is expected that the student dedicates about 44 hours of personal work in the study of the concepts, the preparation of works and seminars, the realization of exercises and the preparation of the practical cases both those that are developed in class and those that can be proposed for your presentation.