1. Instrumentation and Methods in Astroparticle Physics Physics 801
Prof. Teresa Montaruli
(interested students contact me)
Description: 3 cr, 2 lectures/week
Prerequisites: the course is open to graduate students and to undergraduates who have taken a course covering some special relativity and quantum mechanics
The course is designed to introduce the experimental techniques and the data analysis methods of Particle Astrophysics. We will review present experiments and introduce students to the data analysis methods. The course will include practical applications involving the use of numerical methods and simulations. Class notes and reading material will be provided throughout the course.
The students will develop a project such as designing a detector or analysis tools covering a topic discussed in class.
Introduction to Special Relativity
Interaction of Particles with Matter: nuclear and hadronic interactions, electromagnetic interactions and photons, weak interactions and neutrinos, decays, energy losses.
Cosmic Ray Physics: acceleration of particles in sources, propagation, composition and spectrum and their measurement, shower development in the atmosphere, current puzzles and future expectations. Detection: balloon experiments, satellites and Extensive Air Showers. Examples of Current Detectors: Pierre Auger and Hires (sampling technique and fluorescence detection)
Gamma and Neutrino Astronomy: photon and neutrino production in sources, the most compelling high energy phenomena, such as Gamma-Ray-Bursts, Active Galactive Nuclei and Magnetars
Experiments: satellites, telescopes exploiting the Imaging Atmospheric Cherenkov Technique and Extensive Air Showers
Examples of Current Detectors in Gamma Astronomy: EGRET and BATSE, GLAST, MAGIC and HESS
Example of Current Detectors in Neutrino Astronomy: AMANDA, IceCube, ANTARES
Dark Matter: introduction to cosmology, current results, Dark Matter candidates and detection techniques
Throughout the course we will develop:
Statistical Techniques in Particle Astrophysics
Studies of Detector Performances through Monte Carlo Techniques
Data Analysis with Modern Tools
2500 m depth
Crab nebula
Cen A nm
Satellites and Earth based Gamma Telescopes
Optical Modules
storey
Electronics container
~2500 m
EOC
to shore
~ 40 km
100m
~350m
Interconnecting cables
Junction Box
70 m
14.5m
anchor
buoy
acoustic beacon
Extensive Air Showers and IACT
Neutrino Telescopes deep in the South Pole ice or in the Sea