Detailed study of Particle Physics experimental techniques. Gaseous detectors. Scintillation detectors and photomultipliers. Silicon microstrip detectors and their application. Time of flight and momentum measurement systems. Particle identification systems.
Notes and handouts provided by the teachers.
In addition:
W.R. Leo, Techniques for Nuclear and Particle Physics Experiments
R. Fernow, Introduction to experimental particle physics
Learning Objectives
Knowledge acquired:
Knowledge of the main particle detection techniques typical of Particle Physics and of their application in High Energy Physics experimental systems
Competence acquired:
Use of particle detectors available in the lab:
multi-wire proportional chambers, plastic scintillators and photomultipliers, silicon microstrip detectors. Use of the data acquisition system based on LabView software. Analysis of data acquired with the lab instrumentation.
Skills acquired (at the end of the course):
Ability to operate the detectors and the data acquisition system available in the lab in order to design and perform measurements typical of Particle Physics (Measurement of time, position, energy and momentum, particle identification)
Frequency of lectures, practice and lab:
The attendance of the laboratory training sessions is mandatory. The students will attend the lab sessions in groups. The will work mostly in autonomy in order to get acquainted with the laboratory instrumentation and develop their skill in their use and in the design and performance of the measurements.
Teaching tools:
The lab is equipped with the most common particle detectors in use in modern particle physics.
Office hours:
O. Adriani: After the lesson in the classroom or in the Lab or by appointment.
Email: adriani@fi.infn.it
Tel: 055 457 2653
G. Passaleva:
After the lesson in the classroom or in the Lab or by appointment.
Email: giovanni.passaleva@fi.infn.it
Tel: 055 457 2596
Type of Assessment
A laboratory practical test to be completed within 8 hours. The test consists in a measurement performed with the lab instrumentation, typically different from those performed during the training sessions along the year
Oral colloquium with discussion on the laboratory test and interview on topics covered by the course
Course program
1. LabView software and laboratory data acquisition system tutorial.
2. Measurement of the detection efficiency of a multiwire proportional chamber as a function of the applied voltage
3. Measurement of the space resolution of a multiwire proportional chamber
4. Measurement of the time resolution of a multiwire proportional chamber
5. Measurement of the light attenuation length in a plastic scintillator.
6. Measurement of the gain of a photomultiplier as a function of the applied voltage.
7. Measurement of the detection efficiency of a scintillator-photomultiplier system.