Theory of Fundamental Interactions 2
A.Y. 2025/2026
Learning objectives
The course presents the current theory of the strong, weak and electromagnetic interactions, the so called "Standard Model".
The basic concepts and the quantum field theory techniques necessary to build this model are introduced, starting from the analysis of
classical and current problems relevant in the phenomenology of particle physics.
Main goal of the course is to provide an understanding of the theoretical bases and a knowledge of the techniques necessary to obtain
quantitative prediction for physical processes.
The basic concepts and the quantum field theory techniques necessary to build this model are introduced, starting from the analysis of
classical and current problems relevant in the phenomenology of particle physics.
Main goal of the course is to provide an understanding of the theoretical bases and a knowledge of the techniques necessary to obtain
quantitative prediction for physical processes.
Expected learning outcomes
At the end of the course the student:
1) will be able to derive the masses of the gauge, Higgs and matter fields, from the electroweak symmetry breaking parameters;
2) will be able to compute electroweak processes involving W, Z and Higgs bosons;
3) will be able to compute the quark masses and relate them to the CKM matrix;
4) will be able to express the CP violation in terms of the CKM matrix parameters;
5) will be able to compute QCD high-energy processes in the parton model;
6) will be able to compute quantum corrections in QCD to the parton model;
7) will be able to use the Altarelli-Parisi equations to describe scaling violations;
8) will be able to discuss the problem of infrared safety
1) will be able to derive the masses of the gauge, Higgs and matter fields, from the electroweak symmetry breaking parameters;
2) will be able to compute electroweak processes involving W, Z and Higgs bosons;
3) will be able to compute the quark masses and relate them to the CKM matrix;
4) will be able to express the CP violation in terms of the CKM matrix parameters;
5) will be able to compute QCD high-energy processes in the parton model;
6) will be able to compute quantum corrections in QCD to the parton model;
7) will be able to use the Altarelli-Parisi equations to describe scaling violations;
8) will be able to discuss the problem of infrared safety
Lesson period: First semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course can be attended as a single course.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
First semester
Course syllabus
- Parity violation. Fermi theory of neutron beta decay as an effective
theory. Muon decay.
- Charged and neutral currents. Electroweak unification.
- Electroweak interactions and the gauge group SU(2)xU(1): the boson W
and Z and the problem of the gauge boson masses
- Spontaneous symmetry breaking. The Goldstone bosons and the Higgs
mechanism.
- Masses and mixing among the gauge bosons.
- The Higgs particle: production and decay.
- Quark masses, quark mixing and CP violation.
- Basics elements of QCD.
- Running coupling and asymptotic freedom.
- Hadron production in electron-positron annihilation.
- Infrared divergences and infrared safety.
- Deep inelastic lepton-hadron scattering.
- The parton model.
- Factorization theorem and perturbative calculations.
- Parton densities and evolution equations.
- Hadronic collisions and the LHC.
- Parton branching, shower Monte Carlo and jets.
- All order Sudakov resummation.
theory. Muon decay.
- Charged and neutral currents. Electroweak unification.
- Electroweak interactions and the gauge group SU(2)xU(1): the boson W
and Z and the problem of the gauge boson masses
- Spontaneous symmetry breaking. The Goldstone bosons and the Higgs
mechanism.
- Masses and mixing among the gauge bosons.
- The Higgs particle: production and decay.
- Quark masses, quark mixing and CP violation.
- Basics elements of QCD.
- Running coupling and asymptotic freedom.
- Hadron production in electron-positron annihilation.
- Infrared divergences and infrared safety.
- Deep inelastic lepton-hadron scattering.
- The parton model.
- Factorization theorem and perturbative calculations.
- Parton densities and evolution equations.
- Hadronic collisions and the LHC.
- Parton branching, shower Monte Carlo and jets.
- All order Sudakov resummation.
Prerequisites for admission
Knowledge of the basic elements of quantum field theory: free fields quantisation (scalar, fermionic, vectorial); interacting theory and derivation of the Feynman rules. Ability to compute tree-level amplitudes for QED elementary processes. Ability to compute cross sections.
Teaching methods
The teaching method consists of blackboard theory lessons in which observables of interest for elementary particle physics are also explicitly calculated.
Teaching Resources
C.M.Becchi, G.Ridolfi, "An introduction to relativistic processes and the standard model of the electroweak interactions", Springer
M.E.Peskin, D.V.Schroeder, "An introduction to Quantum Field Theory", Perseus Books
T. Muta, "Foundations of Quantum Chromodynamics : An Introduction to Perturbative Methods in Gauge Theories", World Scientific (2010)
R. K. Ellis, W. J. Stirling, B. R. Webber, "QCD and Collider Physics", Cambridge University Press (2003)
M.E.Peskin, D.V.Schroeder, "An introduction to Quantum Field Theory", Perseus Books
T. Muta, "Foundations of Quantum Chromodynamics : An Introduction to Perturbative Methods in Gauge Theories", World Scientific (2010)
R. K. Ellis, W. J. Stirling, B. R. Webber, "QCD and Collider Physics", Cambridge University Press (2003)
Assessment methods and Criteria
The final exam for the course is oral. During the exam, both the theoretical knowledge acquired and the ability to solve problems related to the topics covered will be assessed.
FIS/02 - THEORETICAL PHYSICS, MATHEMATICAL MODELS AND METHODS - University credits: 6
Lessons: 42 hours
Professor:
Ferrera Giancarlo
Professor(s)