An Introduction to Experimental Physics


Book Description

Understanding, designing and conducting experiments is at the heart of science. This text introduces the fundamental principles on which physicists should build a thorough experimental approach to their discipline.




Introduction to Experimental Particle Physics


Book Description

This book brings together the most important topics in experimental particle physics over the past forty years to give a brief but balanced overview of the subject. The author begins by reviewing particle physics and discussing electromagnetic and nuclear interactions. He then goes on to discuss three nearly universal aspects of particle physics experiments: beams, targets, and fast electronics. The second part of the book treats in detail the properties of various types of particle detector, such as scintillation counters, Cerenkov counters, proportional chambers, drift chambers, sampling calorimeters, and specialized detectors. Wherever possible the author attempts to enumerate the advantages and disadvantages of performance. Finally, he discusses aspects of specific experiments, such as properties of triggers, types of measurement, spectrometers, and the integration of detectors into coherent systems. Throughout the book, each chapter begins with a discussion of the basic principles involved, followed by selective examples.




Physics Lab Experiments


Book Description

This new book aims to guide both the experimentalist and theoretician through their compulsory laboratory courses forming part of an undergraduate physics degree. The rationale behind this book is to show students and interested readers the value and beauty within a carefully planned and executed experiment, and to help them to develop the skills to carry out experiments themselves.




Probability and Statistics in Experimental Physics


Book Description

A practical introduction to the use of probability and statistics in experimental physics for graduate students and advanced undergraduates. Intended as a practical guide, and not as a comprehensive text, the emphasis is on applications and understanding, on theorems and techniques that are actually used in experimental physics. Proofs of theorems are generally omitted unless they contribute to the intuition in understanding and applying the theorem. The problems, many with worked solutions, introduce the student to the use of computers; occasional reference is made to some of the Fortran routines available in the CERN library, but other systems, such as Maple, will also be useful.




Methods of Experimental Physics


Book Description

Based on the modern approach of information theory, this book presents novel experimental techniques, tools, and data processing methods for physics applications. It shows readers how to plan and conduct experiments, design and certify measuring equipment, and process and interpret the experimental data. Drawing on his extensive experience in experimental research, the author discusses the theory of systems for measuring and recording data, the equipment and methods used for studying fast processes, the basic methods of experimental physics, and the methods for interpretation and data processing. Bringing together approaches that have previously been scattered in the literature, the book covers high-speed photography, Fourier optics, spectroscopy, interferometry, holography, electromagnetic waves, X-rays, and corpuscular investigation.







Experimental Physics


Book Description

This textbook provides the knowledge and skills needed for thorough understanding of the most important methods and ways of thinking in experimental physics. The reader learns to design, assemble, and debug apparatus, to use it to take meaningful data, and to think carefully about the story told by the data. Key Features: Efficiently helps students grow into independent experimentalists through a combination of structured yet thought-provoking and challenging exercises, student-designed experiments, and guided but open-ended exploration. Provides solid coverage of fundamental background information, explained clearly for undergraduates, such as ground loops, optical alignment techniques, scientific communication, and data acquisition using LabVIEW, Python, or Arduino. Features carefully designed lab experiences to teach fundamentals, including analog electronics and low noise measurements, digital electronics, microcontrollers, FPGAs, computer interfacing, optics, vacuum techniques, and particle detection methods. Offers a broad range of advanced experiments for each major area of physics, from condensed matter to particle physics. Also provides clear guidance for student development of projects not included here. Provides a detailed Instructor’s Manual for every lab, so that the instructor can confidently teach labs outside their own research area.




An Introduction to Experimental Nuclear Reactions


Book Description

An Introduction to Experimental Nuclear Reactions is a book with a concise and simple approach to the subject of experimental nuclear physics. The subject being very technical, it is dealt with in a lucid way so that the reader can grasp the concept and later gain hands-on experience while doing fieldwork. In this book, theoretical, experimental and instrumentation aspects are covered with an emphasis on accelerator-based techniques, which form the basis for the subject of experimental nuclear physics. Other books on similar topics either concentrate on the physics aspects or are more focussed on the instrumentation and radiation detection techniques while accelerator-related concepts are less explained. One of the main standalone features of the book is its to-the-point approach so that the beginner is not lost in the never-ending details. This book discusses the following aspects: Basic introduction to nuclear reactions Two- and three-body kinematics Accelerator-based experimental techniques Basic aspects of the accelerator and accessories Vacuum physics Radiation detector physics and its associated electronics Theoretical modelling and errors This book is mainly intended for students who aspire to pursue a career in experimental nuclear physics research or work in a nuclear accelerator laboratory. Chinmay Basu, PhD, is a researcher in the field of experimental nuclear physics, and his present interests are in the field of low-energy nuclear astrophysics. He is a professor and head of an accelerator facility at the Saha Institute of Nuclear Physics, Kolkata, India.




Statistical Methods for Physical Science


Book Description

This volume of Methods of Experimental Physics provides an extensive introduction to probability and statistics in many areas of the physical sciences, with an emphasis on the emerging area of spatial statistics. The scope of topics covered is wide-ranging-the text discusses a variety of the most commonly used classical methods and addresses newer methods that are applicable or potentially important. The chapter authors motivate readers with their insightful discussions. - Examines basic probability, including coverage of standard distributions, time series models, and Monte Carlo methods - Describes statistical methods, including basic inference, goodness of fit, maximum likelihood, and least squares - Addresses time series analysis, including filtering and spectral analysis - Includes simulations of physical experiments - Features applications of statistics to atmospheric physics and radio astronomy - Covers the increasingly important area of modern statistical computing




Experimental Particle Physics


Book Description

Experimental Particle Physics is written for advanced undergraduate or beginning postgraduate students starting data analysis in experimental particle physics at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) at CERN. Assuming only a basic knowledge of quantum mechanics and special relativity, the text reviews the current state of affairs in particle physics, before comprehensively introducing all the ingredients that go into an analysis.