EXPERIMENTAL METHODS IN NUCLEAR PHYSICS

Learn the main experimental methods in data analysis for nuclear physics experiments

Content of the course:

Basic knowledge in particle detectors in nuclear physics

Particle detectors in nuclear physics – Operattional modes , information from detectors, calibration, energy and time resolution – Energy measurements – Momentum measurements – Time measurements – Geometrical acceptance and detection efficiency – Simulation procedures for the evaluation of the above quantities – Particle multiplicity from low to ultrarelativistic energies – Single and multiple detectors – Tracking detectors – Identification techniques – Characterization of collisions events – Centrlaity determination – Reaction plane determination

Advanced detection techniques

Recent development of gas detectors – Drift chambers – Multigap resistive plate chambers – Time Projection Chambers – GEM Detectors – Recent development in silicon detectors – Microstrip detectors – Silicon drfit detectors – Hybrid and monolithic pixel detectors – Vertex detectors – Radiation damage – Transition radiation detectors – Cerenkov ring detectors – Electromagnetic and hadronic calorimeters – Scintillation detectors with WLS fibers – Photosensors: APD and SiPM

Methods for acquisition and data analysis

Perfomance of multiparametric data acquisition – Triggers – Trigger level for event selection – Event filtering – Digital pulse processing – Analysis of detector signals – Pattern recognition – Trackin problems – Track reconstruction – Primary and secondary vertex – Kalman Filter – Electromagnetic and hadronic showers – Shape analysis – Jet reconstruction

Statistical methods

Probability distributions of interest in nuclear physics – Basic statistical methods in nuclear physics – Monte Carlo methods – Simulation of detectors and physical processes – Simulation packages – The GEANT code – Examples and applications to detectors in nuclear physics – Neural networks and applications in particle detectors: identification, tracking, signal reconstruction - Combinatorial background in high multiplicity events – Method for background subtraction – Event mixing – Like sign correlations – Track rotation

Specialized papers will be provided during the course