Description
Book SynopsisAn up-to-date introduction to the fundamentals of particle physics for advanced undergraduate students. Key topics are accompanied by extensive examples drawn from contemporary experimental results, practice problems based on real datasets, and intuitive explorations of the underlying physical theory.
Trade Review'Larkoski's Elementary Particle Physics has a unique blend of purely theoretical calculations and experimental analyses that are both accessible to undergraduates. The history of the field is not forgotten but instead blended throughout the text to allow for 'breaks' for the reader from the often (and unavoidably) complex subject matter. Given the highly changing field, using the very recent results will be beneficial to the students of the subject.' Christopher A. Aubin, Fordham University, New York
'This is a much-needed textbook for an advanced physics major course with a modern yet accessible introduction to and explanation of the guiding principles of particle physics and current experimental methods.' Ann Nelson, University of Washington
'In Elementary Particle Physics, Larkoski has succeeded at creating a welcome and spectacular modern learning resource that takes a practical approach to the essential experimental and theoretical tools of the field while capturing the excitement and essence of its most relevant discoveries.' Andreas Warburton, McGill University, Montreal
'Larkoski's book will interest a large audience because it starts from basic principles and covers a wide range of topics all the way to discussions on research at the frontiers of particle physics. The book will be very useful to students and researchers working in phenomenological particle physics.' Alakabha Datta, University of Mississippi
'This elementary textbook, suitable for either advanced undergraduate or introductory postgraduate courses, is a gem … will certainly find its way among the most popular particle physics textbooks. Its clear and intuitive presentation will doubtlessly deepen the understanding of students who read it, and inspire lecturers to a more conceptual approach to teaching.' Nikolaos Rompotis, CERN Courier
Table of Contents1. Introduction; 2. Special relativity; 3. A little group theory; 4. Fermi's golden rule and Feynman diagrams; 5. Particle collider experiment; 6. Quantum electrodynamics in e+e- collisions; 7. Quarks and gluons; 8. Quantum chromodynamics; 9. Parton evolution and jets; 10. Parity violation; 11. The mass scales of the weak force; 12. Consequences of weak interactions; 13. The Higgs boson; 14. Particle physics at the frontier; Appendix A. Useful identities; Appendix B. Review of quantum mechanics; Appendix C. Particle physics jargon glossary; Appendix D. Bibliography.