Supersymmetry or SUSY, one of the most beautiful recent ideas of physics, predicts sparticles existing as superpartners of particles. This book gives a theoretical and phenomenological account of sparticles. Starting from a basic level, it provides a comprehensive, pedagogical and user-friendly treatment of the subject of four-dimensional N=1 supersymmetry as well as its observational aspects in high energy physics and cosmology. Part One of the book introduces the requisite formal theory, preceded by a discussion of the naturalness problem. Part Two describes the supersymmetrization of the Standard Model of particle interactions as well as the origin of soft supersymmetry breaking and how it can be mediated from higher energies. Search strategies for sparticles, supersymmetric Higgs bosons, nonminimal scenarios and cosmological implications are some of the other topics covered. Novel features of the book include a dictionary between two-component and four-component spinor notation, a step-by-step derivation of the nonrenormalization theorem, an extended discussion of supersymmetric renormalization group evolution, detailed analyses of minimal and nonminimal models with gravity (including anomaly) mediated and gauge mediated supersymmetry breaking as well as elaborate self-contained presentations of collider signals of sparticles plus supersymmetric Higgs bosons and of supersymmetric cosmology. Appendices list all Feynman rules for the vertices of the Minimal Supersymmetric Standard Model.
Written for a two-semester Master's or graduate course, this comprehensive treatise intertwines theory and experiment in an original approach that covers all aspects of modern particle physics. The author uses rigorous step-by-step derivations and provides more than 100 end-of-chapter problems for additional practice to ensure that students will not only understand the material but also be able to apply their knowledge. Featuring up-to-date experimental material, including the discovery of the Higgs boson at CERN and of neutrino oscillations, this monumental volume also serves as a one-stop reference for particle physics researchers of all levels and specialties. Richly illustrated with more than 450 figures, the text guides students through all the intricacies of quantum mechanics and quantum field theory in an intuitive manner that few books achieve.
This books aims at giving an overview over theoretical and phenomenological aspects of particle astrophysics and particle cosmology. To be of interest for both students and researchers in neighboring fields of physics, it keeps a balance between well established foundations that will not significantly change in the future and a more in-depth treatment of selected subfields in which significant new developments have been taking place recently. These include high energy particle astrophysics, such as cosmic high energy neutrinos, the interplay between detection techniques of dark matter in the laboratory and in high energy cosmic radiation, axion-like particles, and relics of the early Universe such as primordial magnetic fields and gravitational waves. It also contains exercises and thus will be suitable for both introductory and advanced courses in astroparticle physics.
This new book is fully up to date with all the latest developments on both theoretical and experimental investigations of the Standard Model (SM) of particle physics with a particular emphasis on its historical development on both sides. It further stresses the cross-fertilisation between the two sub-disciplines of theoretical and experimental particle physics which has been instrumental in establishing the SM. In other words, the book develops a truly phenomenological attitude to the subject. In addition to emphasising the successes of the SM, this book also critically assesses its limitations and raises key unanswered questions for the purpose of presenting a new perspective of how to further our knowledge above and beyond it. It also contains both historical information from past experiments and latest results from the Large Hadron Collider at CERN. This book will be an invaluable reference to advanced undergraduate and postgraduate students, in addition to early-stage researchers in the field. Key Features: Provides a unique approach not found in current literature in developing and verifying the SM Presents the theory pedagogically but rigorously from basic knowledge of quantum field theory Brings together experimental and theoretical practice in one, cohesive text
This book introduces the phenomenology and theory of hadron form factors in a consistent manner, deriving step-by-step the key equations, defining the form factors from the matrix elements of hadronic transitions and deriving their symmetry relations. Explained are several general concepts of particle theory and phenomenology exemplified by hadron form factors. The main emphasis here is on learning the analytical methods in particle phenomenology. Many examples of hadronic processes involving form factors are considered, from the pion electromagnetic scattering to heavy B-meson decays. In the second part of the book, modern techniques of the form factor calculation, based on the method of sum rules in the theory of strong interactions, quantum chromodynamics, are introduced in an accessible manner. This book will be a useful guide for graduate students and early-career researchers working in the field of particle phenomenology and experiments. Features: • The first book to address the phenomenology of hadron form factors at a pedagogical level in one coherent volume • Contains up-to-date descriptions of the most important form factors of the electroweak transitions investigated in particle physics experiments
This book offers fresh perspective on the role of phenomenology in the philosophy of physics which opens new avenues for discussion among physicists, "standard" philosophers of physics and philosophers with phenomenological leanings. Much has been written on the interrelations between philosophy and physics in the late 19th and early 20th century, and on the emergence of philosophy of science as an autonomous philosophical sub-discipline. This book is about the under-explored role of phenomenology in the development and the philosophical interpretation of 20th century physics. Part 1 examines questions about the origins and value of phenomenological approaches to physics. Does the work of classical phenomenologists such as Husserl, Merleau-Ponty or Heidegger contain elements of systematic value to both the practice and our philosophical understanding of physics? How did classical phenomenology influence “standard” philosophy of science in the Anglo-American and other traditions? Part 2 probes questions on the role of phenomenology in the philosophies of physics and science: - Can phenomenology help to solve “Wigner’s puzzle”, the problem of the "unreasonable effectiveness" of mathematics in describing, explaining and predicting empirical phenomena? - Does phenomenology allow better understanding of the principle of gauge invariance at the core of the standard model of contemporary particle physics? - Does the phenomenological notion of “Lifeworld” stand in opposition to the “scientific metaphysics” movement, or is there potential for dialogue? Part 3 examines the measurement problem. Is the solution outlined by Fritz London and Edmond Bauer merely a re-statement of von Neumann’s view, or should it be regarded as a distinctively phenomenological take on the measurement problem? Is phenomenology a serious contender in continuing discussions of foundational questions of quantum mechanics? Can other interpretational frameworks such as quantum Bayesianism benefit from implementing phenomenological notions such as constitution or horizonal intentionality?
After an introduction to relativistic quantum mechanics, which lays the foundation for the rest of the text, the author moves on to the phenomenology and physics of fundamental interactions via a detailed discussion of the empirical principles of unified theories of strong, electromagnetic, and weak interactions. There then follows a development of local gauge theories and the minimal standard model of the fundamental interactions together with their characteristic applications. The book concludes with further possibilities and the theory of interactions for elementary particles probing complex nuclei. Numerous exercises with solutions make this an ideal text for graduate courses on quantum mechanics and elementary particle physics.