After successful completion of the course, students are able to understand the physics of particles from the cosmos, the history and evolution of the universe, gravitational waves and other astrophysical phenomena.
Introduction to the standard model of particle physics; signals from outer space: discovery; the birth of high-energy physics; composition and spectra of cosmic radiation; overlap with conventional astronomy; primary and secondary cosmic rays; charged particles; photons; neutrinos; gravitational waves; hypothetical particles ("dark matter"); measurement methods of astro-particle physics: Installations on the surface of the earth, on balloons and in outer space; the earth's atmosphere serving as detector for particles; neutrino detectors in the MeV to EeV range; detectors for "dark matter"; large terrestrial installations (in the 10000 square-kilometer range on the earth's surface, as well as installations under water and in the ice of Antarctica); radio emission of highest-energy particles; installations on satellites and in space stations Physics aims of astro-particle physics: Tests of the Standard Model beyond energies that can be reached by accelerators; neutrino oscillations, measurements of properties and mass of neutrinos; search for particles which have not been discovered so far ("dark matter", supersymmetry etc.); CP-violation and antimatter; cosmology, relics of the Big Bang, the origin of the universe.
The courses are given in blocks (see the list of dates). The pre-discussion and first course will take place on 11 October 2023 from 14-16h30 in the PSK building (Georg-Coch-Platz 2, Besprechungsraum 3rd floor, take left staircase in front of the main hall "Kassenhalle"). Further dates will be notified later.
Please pay attention to the rather irregular lecture times. Attendance in person is not compulsory but recommended. Lectures will also be streamed via Zoom and recorded:
https://cern.zoom.us/my/claudiawulz?pwd=dE9qTnQvcVE0S0VwVnRKYzdKNitIdz09
Slides of an earlier course on the topic can be consulted at
https://tiss.tuwien.ac.at/education/course/documents.xhtml?dswid=4193&dsrid=598&courseNr=142094&semester=2021W
to get an idea of the course contents while the new (updated) slides will be posted as we go along.
The courses will either take place in the seminar room of the third floor in PSK building (Georg-Coch-Platz 2, 1010 Vienna), or on the library on the first floor of the Institute of High Energy Physics (Nikolsdorfergasse 18, 1050 Vienna). At the latter, please ring the bell to get in.
In case of issues or questions please email claudia.wulz@cern.ch.
Oral examination. Dates may be arranged by e-mail: claudia.wulz@cern.ch
Not necessary
Slides for this course are available online, in pdf and pptx formats.
Target group and conditions of participation: Physicists, astronomers, astro-physicists and colleagues from other disciplines who are interested in astro-particle physics; basic knowledge in particle physics is useful but not required.