Particle Physics and the Large-Hadron-Collider

- Accelerator, Detectors, Physics -

Summer term 2023

Prof. Dr. Johannes Haller


The large detectors at the Large-Hadron-Collider (LHC) are the most important experiments to study the fundamental questions in particle physics today. Processes of the Standard Model are studied, such as the production of top quarks or Higgs bosons, and searches for hints of new phenomena, such as Dark Matter, Extra-Dimensions, Supersymmetry or, in general, new particles, are beeing conducted with unprecedented precision and discovery reach.

In this course, consisting of a lecture series and a journal club, we will discuss the accelerator complex of the LHC, the large particle detectors (with focus on ATLAS and CMS) as well as the particle physics processes (see examples above) and the experimental techniques.

The exercises will be held in the format of a journal club.

The goal of this course is a deeper understanding of up-to-date topics and methods in particle physics, with special focus on the fundamental questions studied at the LHC. The lecture is an offer to both, students that wish to conduct a bachelor, master or PhD theses in this area, but also to students from other fields of physics aiming at a broader education.

  • Lectures: Tue. 14.00h-15.30h and Fri. 12.15h-13.45h, SR 4064 (Campus Bahrenfeld, Notkestr. 9) and online (cf. STINE for connection details)

  • Exercises/journal club: Fri. 14.00h-15.30h in SR4064 and zoom room of lecture
    • teacher: Dr. Artur Lobanov

    • first date: 14.4.

    • Dates Content
    4.4. Introduction, Overview, Organisation (recording 4.4.)
    11.4., 14.4., 18.4. Accelerators and the LHC (recording 11.4., recording 14.4., recording 18.4. )
    18.4., 25.4. Physics: Basics of pp collisions (recording 21.4., recording 25.4. )
    28.4., 2.5., 5.5. Detectors 1: Tracking systems (recording 28.4., recording 2.5., recording 5.5. )
    5.5., 9.5., 12.5., 23.5. 26.5. Physics: QCD and electroweak processes (rec. 9.5., rec. 12.5., rec. 23.5., rec.26.5. )
    30.5., 2.6., 6.6. Detectors 2: Calorimeters (recording 30.5., recording 2.6., recording Teil3, )
    9.6., 13.6. Physics: Physics of the top quark (recording 9.6., recording 13.6. )
    16.6., (20.6.) Detectors 3: Trigger and data acquisition systems (recording 16.6. )
    20.6., 23.6., 27.6., 30.6., 4.7. Physics: Search and study of the Higgs boson (part-1, part-2) (recording 20.6., recording 23.6., recording 27.6., recording 30.6., recording 4.7.)
    7.7., 11.7. Physics: Search for New Physics (recording 7.7., recording 11.7.)
    14.7. Outlook beyond the LHC

    Last modified 13 July 2023, JH