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INTRODUCTION
Goal of the course:
We aim to educate our students to be independent and well capable scientists, as demanded
by MIT’s hallmark “Mens and Manus” , i.e. intellect and hands.
MIT graduate students will be among the future leaders in Nuclear and Particle Physics. They
are expected to recognize essential physics ideas and be able to substantiate them by
designing realistic experiments. Remember: an experiment firstly is a question to nature
which has to be designed to produce a clear answer and only secondly often a collaboration
to work in. To carry on research for a thesis or beyond, you must master the instrumentation
to understand natures answer. The course combines Physics ideas with instrumentation of
modern techniques. Many of the ingrediences are common to your research later. They
include analyzing techniques and error estimates. The course is designed to give graduate
students an experience in experimental measuring and analyzing techniques from nuclear
and particle physics in preparation for their research.
Prerequisite: 8.701 or equivalent
Organization: Start: at IAP Jan.4, 2010 in room 4-361
Each experiment will take~ five working days in the laboratories from 9-4pm
Credit units: 12
Staff: ….. Ulrich Becker 3-5822, Bldg 44-123B, becker@mit.edu,
Sean Robinson
Locations: 4-361 and 44-007
You will carry out accurate measurements for 3 experiments from the list below. In
preparation literature will be consulted and preparatory questions answered, before the“hands on” measurements. Students may work in pairs or alone. Using the measured data
with errors, including proper propagation, you will analyze results. This will involve Monte
Carlo calculations and Feynman graph evaluations.
A laboratory guide will contain the preparatory questions for each specific experiment and
specify the proceeds for the results to be obtained. The preparatory questions including
theoretical prediction will be graded and are required before experimental work canstart. A
five page paper in APS style describes each experiment after a 20 min oral presentation.
Description:
Graduate Laboratory is meant to give “hands on experience” and acquaint students with a
variety of different experimental methods of modern detection. Wherever possible, a concrete
fundamental quantity in physics will be measured. We expect theoretical calculation before
the measurement is carried out. Detailed error analysis will be emphasized, which is also
necessary to evaluate the merits of future measurements in Nuclear and Particle Physics. To gain lasting experience in detail, one of the three experiments will require design, manual
construction and subsequent test evaluation.
List of experiments:
- Compton scattering
- Fermi constant from muon decay
- Tunnel effect in decays of nuclei
- Time of flight measurements
- Angular distribution of cosmics
- Rutherford and Multiple scattering
- Cerenkov radiation
- Gamma – gamma correlations
- Proportional counter/ chambers
Place:
4-361 for experiments 1., 2., 3., 6., 8.
44-044 for experiments 4., 5., 7. 9.
A named and dated log book for recording the measurements is mandatory.
Ethics in Science
Reading a published report about an experiment you must expect:
- an honest description of what was done
- exactly what was observed
- proper referencing of previous work
- all “quotes” and websites used are marked, no copying ever
- an error estimate specifying the significance of the result obtained.
Nature ultimately enforces the truth in science. If fraud is involved, a career may be ruined.
Grades:
Attendance, Lab performance, log book : 30%
Preparatory assignments: 10%
Oral 20’ presentation for 3 experiments 30%
Papers describing theory and data 30%
Safety:
The safe handling and accurate accounting of the radioactive sources is under the authority
of the MIT Radiation Protection Office (N52-496). On the first day an officer will instruct you in
the safe use of radioactive material. Every source must meticulously signed out and put back
into the repository. Inescapable is the dose from cosmic radiation: 360mrem/year at sea
level. Our sources
Compton Scattering: 137Cs 0.4mCi
Calibration sources: 133 Ba, 22Na .005, .002 mCi
Gamma-Gamma 60 Co (.0005)
are way to weak to contribute much to the recommended<=100mren/year.
Precaution: ALARA = as low as reasonably achievable. (D’ont handle more than necessary.
Transfer quickly. Keep away from body. Never borrow a source, leave in lab storage.)
High Voltage: All our power supplies have current limits set low. Always check that the return
line (ground) is connected before you apply HV. U.Becker will give a safety instruction.
Have Fun -and know what is at the other end of the cable to your computer! |
