FY3450 Astropartikkel fysikk
Høsten 2007
Lecturer:
Michael Kachelrieß,
office: E5-149
Description:
This course in astroparticle physics covers two main topics:
i) high-energy astrophysics, ii) the connection of cosmology and
particle physics, and if there's time iii) stars as laboratories for
particle physics.
In the first part, the sources and physical processes producing
high-energy particles in the universe are discussed.
In the second part, we show how astrophysical
and cosmological observations can be used to learn about the properties of
known and hypothetical particles - and on the way, we try to
understand the universe and its evolution.
The course is aimed at physics students in the 4.th year, or anybody
else with some knowledge of quantum mechanics/particle physics and
statistical physics. FY2450 Astrofysikk is not a necessary pre-requisite.
Applying the basic physical ideas and concepts will be emphasized,
while heavy formalism will be avoided as far as possible.
The final exam will be in the form
of an extended home-work or an oral exam (to be discussed).
For an overview see
here.
Lectures: Monday 10.15-12.00 in R71, Wednesday 10:15-12:00 in R73
Recommended books:
1. C. Grupen: Astroparticle Physics (Springer 2005)
2. Donald Perkins: Particle Astrophysics (Oxford University Press 2003)
Additionally, notes will be available.
Program:
Week 1: General introduction
Week 2: Basics of particle physics, non-thermal radiation
Week 3: Sources and acceleration mechanisms
Week 4: High-energy cosmic rays
Week 5: High-energy photons and neutrinos
Week 6: Intro to cosmology
Week 7: Big-bang nucleosynthesis/Baryogenesis
Week 8: Thermal relics as dark matter
Week 9: Structure formation
Week 10: Cosmic microwave background and its anisotropies
Week 11: Inflation
Week 12: Stellar evolution, nuclear processes and neutrinos
Week 13: Stellar evolution and limits for particle physics
Week 14: Review, lost & found, outlook
Last up-date: 11. Aug 2007