Standard model of fundamenta interactions

- Review of the different types of particle fields
- Gauge symmetries
- Electroweak interaction Lagrangian SU(2)L × U(1)
- Spontaneous symmetry breaking – Brout–Englert–Higgs mechanism
- Intermediate W and Z bosons: masses and properties
- Implications of the electroweak Lagrangian with spontaneous symmetry breaking
  (discussion of various processes and related experimental constraints,
  Standard Model predictions, etc.)

General presentation of the Standard Model of Fundamental Interactions, which describes, at the microscopic scale, all fundamental interactions
that govern nature, with the exception of gravity.

The emphasis is placed on a theoretical understanding of the model, motivated and illustrated by numerous experimental results, including results from the colliders.

Required and Corequired knowledge and skills

Students must have completed a course in quantum field theory before taking the Standard Model course.

 

•  Blackboard lectures
•  Exercise sessions illustrating the theory

References, bibliography, and recommended reading

• M. D. Schwartz, *Quantum Field Theory and the Standard Model*, Cambridge University Press
•  M. Peskin and D. Schroeder, *An Introduction to Quantum Field Theory*, Westview Press
•  T. Cheng and L. Li, *Gauge Theory of Elementary Particle Physics*, Oxford University Press

Course notes

• Université virtuelle

Additional information

The Standard Model course is taught by the two lecturers in alternating years:
- Laura Lopez Honorez: 2026–27, 2028–29, etc.
- Thomas Hambye: 2027–28, 2029–30, etc.

Contacts

Theoretical Physics group, CP 225
ULB Campus Plaine
Boulevard du Triomphe, B-1050 Brussels

Thomas Hambye: thomas.hambye@ulb.be | +32 2 650 55 82 | Office 2N7-209
Laura Lopez Honorez: llopezho@ulb.be | +32 2 650 55 19 | Office 2N7-113

Campus

Plaine

Method(s) of evaluation

• Oral examination

Oral examination

Oral examination with preliminary written preparation.

During the written preparation, consultation of notes is allowed.
During the oral examination, the student presents the general question and answers additional questions covering the different chapters of the course and the exercises, without consulting notes.

Language(s) of evaluation

• english
• (if applicable french )