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Particle and Astroparticle Physics Group

Astroparticle Physics
  6 credits (h.p.)

SH2200

Spring term 2010 (‘period 3’)

Last update: 9th Feb. 2010

Course responsible: Mark Pearce. [pearce .at. particle.kth.se / 08-55378183]


 




What confines the gas within this galaxy cluster (The 'Coma' Cluster)? There is not enough visible matter to explain the gravitational confinement. It appears that there some mysterious and invisible 'dark matter' at work...

Evidence for the existence of 'dark matter' also comes from precision measurements of the  Cosmic Microwave Background - the afterglow of the Big Bang.

The astroparticle physics group at KTH has built part of a satellite experiment, called PAMELA, which is search ing for the elusive dark matter using antiparticles. PAMELA was launched in June 2006 and is currently collecting data.


 

Introduction

Astroparticle physics is a relatively new field of science which has grown enormously in the last 20 years. The fields of particle physics, astronomy/astrophysics and cosmology are combined to allow an understanding of the physical processes at work in the Universe. During the course, particular emphasis will be laid on the experimental aspects of astroparticle physics through a survey of current results and the experiments used to produce them. Astroparticle physics is an extremely dynamic field with regular new and  discoveries - this will also be reflected in the topics covered during the course.

 This course is mainly aimed at F4 (including exchange students) and the International Master's Programme in Modern Physics. Others are more than welcome to participate (see the course plan for guidance on prerequisites). This course builds on SH2201 Experimental Particle Physics, and is an excellent complement to SH2402 Astrophysics, and SH2403 Advanced Astrophysics.

Course Plan
The course plan for 2010 can be found here.

Lectures

The first lecture session will take place on January 26th 2010, 10-12, FB51, AlbaNova. The subsequent lecture schedule can be found here and all lectures take place in A5:1003. Any changes to the schedule will be announced during lectures.

Student Seminar Day
The details for 2010 are posted here.

Examination
The course is examined through the home assignments, and the seminar day. See course plan for more details.

Oral Examination
Students wishing to be considered for the highest grade in the course are required to take an oral examination.

Course texbook
The course more-or-less follows 'Particle Astrophysics' (Second Edition), D. Perkins, Oxford University Press, January 2009. This should be in stock at the KTH bookshop. Lecture notes and other material will also be handed out at the start of each lecture. See the course plan for additional reading suggestions.