Physics

GENERAL OBJECTIVES: The course is an introduction to the SU(3) symmetry in the construction of the quark model and in quantum chromodynamics (QCD). The second part is devoted to the study of collider physics, from deep inelastic processes to the LHC. The third part is more specifically on QCD. Despite the complexity of the topics covered, the student is expected to master a number of basic tools with ease, from tensor methods and Young tableau, as for the part on symmetry, to the technical methods generally used to deal with the calculation QCD cross sections. SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES: A - Knowledge and understanding OF 1) Knowing methods for constructing the representations of SU(3) and SU(2) OF 2) Understanding the role of symmetry principles in the construction of physical theories. OF 3) Knowing methods for the calculation of elementary processes in QCD OF 4) Knowing basics of hadron collider physics B - Application skills OF 5) Compute Kronecker products of representations of Casimir factors and `color factors` and constructions of SU(3) representations with tensor methods and Young Tableau OF 6) Calculate scattering processes in QCD OF 7) Calculation of some loop amplitudes in QCD with the method of dimensional regularization and of renormalization with counterterms. C - Autonomy of judgment OF 8) Ability to apply the knowledge base acquired to understand the modern developments in theoretical particle physics OF 9) Being able to apply dimensional analysis reasonings and order of magnitude estimates. D - Communication skills OF 10) Ability to discuss about collider physics and QCD with rigor and understanding of the approximations. E - Ability to learn OF 11) Ability to read and understand independently more advanced texts and papers. OF 12) Being able to discriminate between the various, sometimes confusing, conventions, notations and methods used in the literature.