
Research in High Energy Physics (HEP) focuses on understanding the fundamental particles and forces that constitute matter and govern the universe. It explores phenomena at extremely small scales and high energies, often using particle accelerators like the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) to probe interactions beyond everyday physics. Key areas include the Standard Model, quantum field theory, Higgs boson, and the search for new physics such as supersymmetry, dark matter, and extra dimensions. This research not only deepens our understanding of nature’s building blocks but also drives technological innovation in detectors, computing, and materials science.
This lecture gives a intro to the idea of research in HEP.
This course is going to set the tone for a career in High energy Physics. Although the term sounds to be too advanced, once you take up the course, you will get the feeling that this is the continuation of Nuclear Physics and digs deep into the mysteries. The course does not concentrate on the mathematical derivations, but rather a qualitative idea is developed based on the theories and experimental evidence that has already received validation from the scientific community. The course is divided into five major units:
1. Introduction to High Energy Physics
2. The Particle Model
3. Production and Detection of Elementary Particles
4. Unification Schemes
5. Quantum Chromodynamics (QCD)
The first unit is an introduction to high energy physics. The second unit gives an overview of the elementary particle model and also the drawbacks of the standard model. The third unit talks about the natural and artificial production of elementary particles. Also, the detection of the same is discussed. The fourth unit is probably the most interesting and in line with another course published under the name Introductory cosmology in Udemy. The different unification schemes to combine the fundamental forces over time is analyzed. The final unit on QCD is very much preliminary but addresses one of the most important ideas of why QCD helps in the non-violation of Pauli's Exclusion Principle.