Astroparticle physics

This course is a survey of the emerging field of high-energy particle astrophysics and is primarily intended for students pursuing a master’s degree in physics. Phenomena studied in this field are among the most energetic in Universe and include the theory and observation of particles accelerated in supernovae remnants, super-massive black holes, active galaxies, and gamma ray bursts.

This course will feature an emphasis on problem solving using numerical techniques. Although certainly is not a requirement to understand the physical processed involved in astroparticle phenomena, it is beneficial to resolve numerically some of the proposed problems in order to better assimilate the concepts discussed during this course. The Python programming language is used as a tool for constructing these numerical solutions. There exist complete mathematical libraries (NumPy/SciPy) for Python as well as powerful interactive tools and graphical visualization frameworks which make it possible to easily construct problem solvers in a matter of minutes along with graphical output. as the programing language. The idea is also to familiarize the student with what has become one of the most popular analysis tools in the high energy physics as well as astronomy communities.

• Explain the CR spectrum its origin, and the process of acceleration and propagation.
• Explain the relationship between CR, γ-rays and ν.
• Enumerate the different detection techniques in the field of astroparticle
• Explain why Dark Matter is needed in the current cosmological model and its role in the evolution of the Universe and one of the hypothesis.

• Slides for visual stuff. Blackboard for deriving equations.
• Python to solve problems during theory classes.
• Exercises to apply the knowledge.
• Slides on the web after each lecture on UV
• Sylabus/notes in .html, .pdf and .ipynb.

Références, bibliographie et lectures recommandées

There is no mandatory textbook for this course. However, the students are encouraged to enrich their instruction by reviewing external references. There is a great wealth of high-quality information freely available on the internet, in particular the “arXiv” preprint server at http://arxiv.org. The following are a fer recommended books:

1. Gaisser, T.K. Cosmic Rays and Particle Physics, Cambridge University Press, 1991
2. Longair, M. High-Energy Astrophysics Volume 1: Particles, photons, and their detection, Cambridge University Press, 2004
3. Perkins, D. Particle Astrophysics, Oxford University Press, 2008

Contacts

J. A. Aguilar (Juan.Antonio.Aguilar.Sanchez@ulb.be)
Ioana Maris (Ioana.Maris@ulb.be)

Campus

Plaine

Méthode(s) d'évaluation

• Examen écrit
• Examen pratique
• Examen oral

Examen écrit

Examen pratique

Examen oral

45% Written exam. A written exam of exercises
45% Oral exam. An interrogation with questions the course.
10% Homework: Hand in one of the numerical exercises.

Langue(s) d'évaluation

• français
• anglais