Particle Accelerators for Science and Interdisciplinary Applications


course ID

Lecturer

CFU

6

Length

14 Weeks

Semester DD

First


Course details

Starting with historical notes on the development of accelerators, the motion of charged particles in electric and magnetic fields is described, as they are accelerated, transported and focused. We focus both on machines for high energies physics that of those for the production of light for research in other fields. Investigating the reasons of the radiation emission by an accelerated charge, we study the characteristics of the radiation produced, its effect on the motion of particles, and its applications. From the description of single particles, we arrive to the particles beam definition to take into account the collective effects. Finally, we talk briefly about the great revolution ongoing: the plasma acceleration, which will allow to build table-top accelerators. The visit to a real particle accelerator is included.

Objectives

LEARNING OUTCOMES:
The course is aimed at providing a general preparation at introductory level of particle accelerator physics, with in-depth knowledge of some specialized areas of recent research in this field. The educational objectives foresee the knowledge of electromagnetism, applied to particular problems of motion of charged particles in electric and magnetic fields and to the emission of radiation produced by accelerated charges.


KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING:
Students must have a general understanding of the principles used to accelerate and guide bunches of charged particles. They must understand the effects of radiation emission and its physics. They must also have a good knowledge of the state of the art at least in some specialized sectors studied in depth during the course. The verification of knowledge and understanding is done through an oral test.