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Version 17.1 by Ricardo Julio Rodríguez Fernández on 2026/06/30 12:50
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1 == Phenomenology in High-Energy Physics ==
2
3 ==== Titor: [[Lin>>https://igfae.usc.es/igfae/persoa/chen-lin/549/||target="_blank"]] Chen ====
4 ==== Supervisor: [[Manuel>>https://igfae.usc.es/igfae/persoa/chen-lin/549/||target="_blank"]] Chen
5 ====
6 [[inspirehep>>https://inspirehep.net/authors/1477331]])
7
8 This project cluster offers a guided introduction to key techniques in theoretical and phenomenological studies of high-energy collisions.
9 Students will explore the dynamics of particle interactions in both elementary and nuclear processes, ranging from analytical calculations to numerical simulations.
10 They can choose from one of four distinct sub-projects, focusing either on pen-and-paper derivations or hands-on computational work.
11 Each sub-project is adapted from a typical MSc-level exercise and is designed to be accessible to highly motivated undergraduate students.
12
13 ----
14
15 === P1 (analytical) - NLO Corrections to Pair Production ===
16
17 **Introduction:**
18
19 This project introduces students to loop corrections in Quantum Field Theory (QFT).
20 Focusing on the simplest QED process: electron-positron annihilation into a muon pair, students will analyze both the Leading-Order (LO) Feynman diagram and its Next-to-Leading-Order (NLO) correction with photon radiation.
21 The aim is to develop familiarity with tree- and loop-level calculations, understand the origin of singularities, and apply techniques to handle divergences.
22
23 **Expected outcomes:**
24
25 * Understanding of Feynman diagram rules and their application to QED processes
26 * Tree-level and one-loop calculations for e⁺e⁻ → μ⁺μ⁻
27 * Cross-section computation and application of dimensional regularization
28 * Optional: determination of the tau lepton mass from cross-section ratios
29 * Optional: estimation of Nc from the ratio of hadronic to leptonic cross-sections
30
31 **Requirements:**
32
33 * Familiarity with special relativity and quantum mechanics
34 * Basic calculus skills
35
36 ----
37
38 === P2 (analytical) - Opacity Expansion in Parton Energy Loss ===
39
40 **Introduction:**
41
42 This project explores the foundational aspects of jet quenching through the Gyulassy-Levai-Vitev (GLV) formalism.
43 Beginning with a review of Feynman rules and basic concepts in heavy-ion collisions, students will focus on computing the first-order opacity contribution to the medium-induced gluon radiation spectrum in a hot QCD plasma.
44 The emphasis is on analytical derivations, with attention to diagrammatic summation techniques and approximations used in perturbative QCD.
45
46 **Expected outcomes:**
47
48 * Understanding the conceptual basis of jet quenching in a quark-gluon plasma
49 * Application of Feynman diagrams to model jet–medium scattering processes
50 * Derivation of the Leading-Order (first-opacity) contribution to induced gluon radiation
51 * Optional: Study of detailed balance using basic thermal field theory techniques
52 * Optional: Extension to higher-order terms in the opacity expansion
53
54 **Requirements:**
55
56 * Familiarity with Feynman diagrammatics
57 * Basic calculus skills
58
59 ----
60
61 === P3 (computational) - Dijet Cross-Sections at Leading-Order ===
62
63 **Introduction:**
64
65 This hands-on computational project introduces students to the numerical calculation of cross-sections for physically relevant processes.
66 Students will implement tree-level 2→2 partonic scattering leading to dijet production, and compute differential cross-sections to be compared with experimental data from the LHC.
67 This project serves as an entry point into collider phenomenology, linking theoretical calculations with measurable observables.
68
69 **Expected outcomes:**
70
71 * Familiarity with numerical integration techniques
72 * Implementation of Leading-Order matrix elements for dijet production in proton–proton collisions
73 * Calculation and analysis of differential cross-sections with comparison to experimental data
74 * Optional: Extension to beyond LO corrections
75 * Optional: Application to heavy-ion collisions via simple quenching models
76
77 **Requirements:**
78
79 * Basic familiarity with collider physics concepts
80 * Programming experience and elementary numerical analysis skills
81
82 ----
83
84 === P4 (computational) - Glauber Modelling in Nuclear Collisions ===
85
86 **Introduction:**
87
88 This project introduces the classical Glauber model, used to characterize the initial geometry of nuclear collisions.
89 Students will implement both optical and Monte Carlo versions of the model to compute geometric observables such as participant numbers and spatial eccentricities, which are essential for centrality classification and anisotropic flow studies in heavy-ion collisions.
90
91 **Expected outcomes:**
92
93 * Familiarity with nuclear collision geometry and numerical integration techniques
94 * Implementation of optical and Monte Carlo Glauber models
95 * Optional: Calculation of eccentricities in non-central collisions
96 * Optional: Mapping of impact parameter to centrality classes
97
98 **Requirements:**
99
100 * Basic familiarity with collider or nuclear physics concepts
101 * Programming experience and elementary numerical analysis skills
102
103 ----