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2017　Special Lectures in Physics IX

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Academic unit or major
Graduate major in Physics
Instructor(s)
Seidl Ralf-Christian  Shibata Toshi-Aki 
Class Format
Lecture     
Media-enhanced courses
Day/Period(Room No.)
Undecided ()  
Group
-
Course number
PHY.P538
Credits
1
Academic year
2017
Offered quarter
1Q
Syllabus updated
2017/3/17
Lecture notes updated
-
Language used
English
Access Index

Course description and aims

This course focuses on 'The spin structure of the proton studied at RHIC' and explain on it based on various actual experiments by Ralf Seidl. The lecture is given in English, but explanation is added in Japanese whenever necessary. First, the history of the strong interaction is introduced, and then its role in nearly all the visible matter of the universe is explained. Next, polarized parton distribution functions which are closely related to the spin structure of the proton is explained. It was expected that the proton with spin 1/2 is a simple particle which can easily be explained. But it created a big puzzle. The history of the studies on it will be explained. RHIC is the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider at Brookhaven National Laboratory, USA, and is the only accelerator where polarized protons can collide. Other related experiments and the planned electron-ion collider will also be explained.

The aim of this course is, showing the actual experiments, to explain on particle accelerators, control of polarized proton beam, and results of experiments with longitudinally and transversely polarized proton beam. Another aim is to explain the complementary relation between experiments with electron beam and proton beam.

Student learning outcomes

At the end of the course, students will be able to:
1) Have an understanding of fundamentals of unpolarized and polarized parton distributions and fragmentation functions which are closely related to the spin structure of the proton.
2) Explain the current status of the studies on the nucleon spin structure.
3) Be familiar with the details of the planned electron-ion collider.

Keywords

Strong interaction, spin structure of the proton, lepton-proton scattering, proton-proton reaction, polarization, accelerators

Competencies that will be developed

✔ Specialist skills Intercultural skills ✔ Communication skills Critical thinking skills ✔ Practical and/or problem-solving skills

Class flow

Eight classes will be held in two weeks. Exercise problems and short tests are given during the course. Attendance is taken in every class.

Course schedule/Required learning

  Course schedule Required learning
Class 1 A brief history of the strong interaction Revisit the main features of the strong interaction, its history and basic properties
Class 2 The (spin) structure of the nucleon in Deep-Inelastic Scattering, factorization Understand the description of the nucleon in deep inelastic scattering:structure functions and parton distribution functions
Class 3 Early DIS experiments:SLAC, EMC and HERA Learn about the findings of the first DIS measurements and the surprises from the first polarized measurements
Class 4 Fragmentation functions as spin and flavor analyzer: semi-inclusive DIS and hadron collisions Understand the concept of fragmentation functions. Understand how it can be applied to DIS and proton collisions
Class 5 The RHIC accelerator complex Understand polarized protons, acceleration, and measurements of their polarization
Class 6 Gluon and sea quark spins at RHIC Understand the gluon spin and sea quark spin revealed by the experiments
Class 7 Asymmetries that should not be there: transverse spin physics Understand the transverse spin asymmetries and their interpretations
Class 8 The future: RHIC in the forward direction and EIC Understand the intermediate future plan at RHIC and future plan of electron-ion collider

Textbook(s)

Not specified

Reference books, course materials, etc.

'Particle and nuclei, an introduction to physics concepts', B. Povh et al., Springer Verlag.

Assessment criteria and methods

Participation in class and performance in short tests

Related courses

  • PHY.F430 ： Hadron Physics
  • PHY.F351 ： Elementary Particles
  • PHY.F436 ： Advanced Particle Physics
  • PHY.F350 ： Nuclear Physics
  • PHY.F437 ： Advanced Nuclear Physics

Prerequisites (i.e., required knowledge, skills, courses, etc.)

Knowledge on quantum mechanics is recommended.

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