Introduction to various particle detectors and its associated readout electronics. Learning software packages for automating measurement runs (Labview) and data analysis (ROOT)

Preparation for a possible diploma or master's thesis in this field. Overview of experimental methods for theoreticians.

After an introduction to the experimental methods in Nuclear and Particle Physics some exercises with detectors are made, e.g. Semiconductor Detectors. The participants have the opportunity to get familiar with equipment used at CERN for the CMS experiment at the LHC. Measurements on the detectors will be automatized using LabVIEW. Knowledge of electronics, essential for the operation and readout of the detectors are will be teached. As a conclusive example the lifetime of cosmic muons is measured and analyzed. This course is based on realistic practical experimental work and will be supervised by the lecturers. 

The course is split in three parts: 

• Semiconductors (measurements on silicon detectors, automatization using Labview software),
• Electronics (basic tools, signal transmission, photomultiplier, assembly of a Geiger counter with a coffee can) 
• Muons (Design, construction and operation of an experiment to measure the lifetime of muons from the cosmic radiation, data analysis using the ROOT framework) 

seminar presentation, active participation to the measurements in the lab, weekly written experiment documentation

via email to Thomas.Bergauer@oeaw.ac.at (recommended)

physical presence during "Vorbesprechung" necessary

Lecture "Particle Detectors" (141.250)