NUCLEAR AND PARTICLE PHYSICS II

1. Elements of Group Theory and Angular Momentum Theory

Algebraic structures and order relations; definition of an abstract group; examples of groups; Abelian groups; residue classes modulo n; examples and notation of classical matrix groups; the Lorentz group; subgroups; equivalence classes; invariant (normal) subgroups; quotient groups; group homomorphisms and isomorphisms; generators of discrete groups; order of an element; cyclic groups and their generators; continuous groups; Lie groups and Lie algebras; structure constants; group actions on sets; orbits; group representations; equivalent representations; reducible and irreducible representations; Schur’s Lemma; products of representations and the Clebsch-Gordan series; permutations and symmetry groups; Young tableaux; the deuteron in the Young-tableau formalism; open shells and Young tableaux; baryons in the Young-tableau formalism.

Parity transformations; angular momentum coupling in subatomic physics; spherical tensors and rotation matrices; coupling of two angular momenta and Clebsch-Gordan coefficients; Wigner 3j symbols; coupling of three angular momenta in nuclear reactions: Racah coefficients and Wigner 6j symbols; Wigner 9j symbols; the Wigner-Eckart theorem.

2. Nuclear Fission and Neutron Physics

Neutron sources; neutron-induced nuclear reactions; neutron moderation; thermal neutrons; resonance neutrons; neutron spectroscopy: monochromators and selectors; neutron diffraction by crystals; discovery of nuclear fission; properties of fission fragments; detection of fission neutrons; delayed neutrons; energetics and mechanism of fission; spontaneous fission; fission isomers and resonance groups; fission cross sections: fissile and fertile nuclei; operation of a nuclear reactor; the four-factor formula; neutron diffusion; buckling and criticality conditions; migration and absorption lengths; introduction to reactor kinetics; the inhour equation.

3. Selected Features of the Weak Interaction

Leptons and family (generation) number; classification of processes mediated by the weak interaction; the Fermi constant and weak charge; muon decay; neutrino-electron scattering; neutral currents; lepton universality; quarks and the weak interaction; the Cabibbo angle; the CKM matrix; helicity and pion decay; real W± and Z⁰ bosons; decay modes of the W± and Z⁰ bosons; electroweak unification and the Weinberg angle; strangeness oscillations; regeneration phenomena; CP violation.

For the first chapter:

1. V. I. Smirnov, Corso Superiore di Matematica, vol. III pt. I, MIR

2. B. Baumslag, B. Chandler, Teoria dei Gruppi, Etas Libri

3. J.M. Irvine, Nuclear Structure Theory, Pergamon

4. A. Messiah, Mecanique Quantique, vol. II, Dunod

For the second chapter:

1. E. Segrè, Nuclei e Particelle, II edizione, Zanichelli

2. K.N. Mukhin, Experimental Nuclear Physics, MIR

3. D.J. Littler, J.F. Raffle, Reattori Nucleari - Fondamenti teorici, Einaudi

For the third chapter:

1. A. Bettini, Introduction to Elementary Particle Physics, Cambridge

2. B. Povh et al, Particelle e Nuclei, Bollati Boringhieri

3. F. Halzen, A.D. Martin, Quarks & Leptons, Wiley

As a guide for exercises:

I. Lombardo, Problemi di fisica nucleare e subnucleare, CEA Zanichelli