101 - 110 of 120 results for: PHYSICS

Symmetries, group theory, gauge invariance, Lagrangian of the Standard Model, flavor group, flavor-changing neutral currents, CKM quark mixing matrix, GIM mechanism, rare processes, neutrino masses, seesaw mechanism, QCD confinement and chiral symmetry breaking, instantons, strong CP problem, QCD axion. Prerequisite: PHYSICS 330.

This course provides an overview of the Standard Model of Particle Physics, motivations for extending the Standard Model (including naturalness, the hierarchy, the cosmological constant, and strong CP problems), discussions on Technicolor and Composite Models, Grand Unified Theories and SU(5), exploration of the Supersymmetric Standard Model (including gauge coupling unification and lessons from LEP and the LHC), re-evaluation of naturalness, the multiverse, and the landscape of string theory, as well as topics such as split supersymmetry, string theory, large extra dimensions, the strong CP problem, and the QCD axion.

Basic theory of production of radiation in stars, galaxies and diffuse interstellar and intergalactic media and and transfer of radiation throughout the universe. Magnetic fields, turbulence shocks and  particle acceleration and transport around magnetospheres of planets to clusters of galaxies. Application to  compact objects, pulsars and accretion in binary stars and super-massive black holes, supernova remnants, cosmic rays and active galactic nuclei  Prerequisite: PHYSICS 260 or equivalent.

Intended as a complement to Ph 362 and Ph 364.nGalaxies (including their nuclei), clusters, stars and backgrounds in the contemporary universe. Geometry, kinematics, dynamics, and physics of the universe at large. Evolution of the universe following the epoch of nucleosynthesis. Epochs of recombination, reionization and first galaxy formation. Fluid and kinetic description of the growth of structure with application to microwave background fluctuations and galaxy surveys. Gravitational lensing. The course will feature interleaved discussion of theory and observation. Undergraduate exposure to general relativity and cosmology at the level of Ph 262 and Ph 161 will be helpful but is not essential.

Intended to complement PHYSICS 361, this course will cover the earlier period in cosmology up to and including nucleosynthesis. The focus will be on high energy, early universe physics. This includes topics such as inflation and reheating including generation of density perturbations and primordial gravitational waves, baryogenesis mechanisms, out of equilibrium particle production processes in the early universe e.g. both thermal and non-thermal production mechanisms for dark matter candidates such as WIMPs and axions, and production of the light nuclei and neutrinos. Techniques covered include for example out of equilibrium statistical mechanics such as the Boltzmann equation, and dynamics of scalar fields in the expanding universe. Other possible topics if time permits may include cosmological phase transitions and objects such as monopoles and primordial black holes. We will use quantum field theory, although it will hopefully be accessible for those without much background in that area. Suggested prerequisites: general relativity at the level of PHYSICS 262, some knowledge of cosmology and in particular the basics of FRW cosmology as in PHYSICS 361 for example, and some knowledge of quantum field theory e.g. at the level of PHYSICS 331 as a corequisite.

General relativistic theory of spinning black holes and neutron stars including accretion, jets and tidal capture. Direct and indirect observation of relativistic effects in active galactic nuclei and stellar sources. Linear theory of the generation and propagation of (non-primordial) gravitational radiation. Detection of gravitational waves by Michelson interferometers, pulsars and atom interferometers. Nonlinear emission by binary black holes. Nuclear equation of state and nucleosynthetic implications of neutron star binaries. Pre-requisite: Ph 262 or equivalent.

Modern astrophysics explores physical processes in remote environments that prescribe, apply, and explore fundamental processes under conditions that are far more extreme than those attainable in a terrestrial laboratory. These include the production and interaction of peta eV gamma rays, peta eV neutrinos, and zetta eV cosmic rays by black holes and the behavior of 100 giga Tesla magnetic field anchored by neutron stars. The connection between observations, experiments, and the underlying physics will be emphasized. This course is intended for graduate students but should be accessible to advanced undergraduates. An understanding of basic general relativity and introductory quantum electrodynamics will be helpful but is not essential.

Fermi liquid theory, many-body perturbation theory, response function, functional integrals, interaction of electrons with impurities. Prerequisite: APPPHYS 273 or equivalent.

Superfluidity and superconductivity. Quantum magnetism. Prerequisite: PHYSICS 372.