AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

The laboratory illustrates the main experimental techniques used in fundamental interaction physics and astrophysics and allows students to design, perform and process the data of a real experiment.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

The students will acquire an in-depth knowledge of the phenomena related to the passage of radiation in matter and their application in the design and characterization of particle detectors.

They will also learn about decay and scattering processes.

Finally, they will acquire the data acquisition and processing skills necessary to carry out some laboratory experiences, of which they will have to discuss the experimental results.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

Passage of radiation in matter

Fundamental constants. Nuclear processes due to radioactive sources. Characteristic units and definitions. Alpha decay. Beta decay. Gamma emission. Neutron sources. Law of radioactive decay. Cross section. Mean free path. Basics of radioprotection.

Interactions of heavy charged particles with matter. Bethe-Bloch formula. Definition of range. Cherenkov effect. Interactions of electrons with matter. Loss of energy by collisions. Radiation energy loss (Bremsstrahlung). Multiple scattering. Length of radiation. Interaction of photons with matter. Photoelectric effect. Compton effect. Pair production. Electromagnetic showers.

General characteristics of particle detectors

Sensitivity. Response function. Energy resolution. Efficiency. Dead time. Characteristic parameters. Ionization detectors. Ionization and transport phenomena in gases. Multiwire Proportional Chambers (MWPC). Drift chambers. Time Projection Cameras (TPC). Scintillation detectors. Organic scintillators. Inorganic crystals. Intrinsic detection efficiencies for the different radiations. Photomultiplication detectors. Construction methods and parameters. Photocathodes. dynodes. Time response and resolution. Noise.

Acquisition and data processing

Signals used in nuclear electronics. Triggers. Signal transmission. The NIM standard. Pre-amplifiers. Analog-to-digital converters. Multichannel analyzers. Coincidence techniques. Processing of experimental data. Review of statistics and theory of errors. Simulation of experimental data and Monte Carlo method. Methods of fit and minimization. Presentation of the experimental results.

Laboratory experiences

Mounting a scintillator telescope

Scattering Experiment: Compton Scattering and Electron Mass Measurement Particle Detection Experiment: Muon Lifetime

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

The final evaluation will take into account the activity carried out in the laboratory, the papers presented and the final oral exam on the topics covered in class.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

Upon completion of the course, students will be required to prepare two essays on experiences chosen from those carried out.

FURTHER INFORMATION

Students who have valid certification of physical or learning disabilities on file with the University and who wish to discuss possible accommodations or other circumstances regarding lectures, coursework and exams, should speak both with the instructor and with Professor Sergio Di Domizio (sergio.didomizio@unige.it), the Department’s disability liaison.