PHYS 709 Experimental Techniques in Astroparticle Physics
Astroparticle Physics is an advancing field where high-energy cosmic rays, gamma rays and neutrinos are used to study the Universe. This course discusses the different experimental techniques in Astroparticle Physics, focusing mainly on ground-based experiments. The course is designed keeping in mind the recent advances in the field. It will present how extensive air showers are developed, and how they produce Cherenkov, radio and fluorescence emissions. Different types of detectors such as plastic/liquid scintillator, water Cherenkov detector and photomultiplier tubes will also be presented. The course will discuss cosmic-ray measurements using particle detector arrays and radio antennas as well as high-energy gamma-ray detection using Imaging Atmospheric Cherenkov telescopes and measurements of astrophysical neutrinos using Cherenkov technique in water/ice. Students will be introduced to advanced simulation and data analysis tools like CORSIKA, GEANT4 and ROOT. The course also includes a project work where students will work on data analysis and Monte-Carlo simulation of cosmic-ray and gamma-ray experiments.