Nuclear and Particle Physics

Constituents of nucleus and their Intrinsic properties, quantitative facts about size, mass, charge density (matter energy), binding energy, average binding energy and its variation with mass number, main features of binding energy versus mass number curve, angular momentum, parity, magnetic moment, electric moments, nuclear excited states. 

Liquid drop model approach, semi empirical mass formula and significance of various terms, condition of nuclear stability. evidence for nuclear shell structure, nuclear magic numbers, basic assumption of shell model, concept of mean field, residual interaction, concept of nuclear force.

Particle interactions; basic features, types of particles and its families.Symmetries and Conservation Laws: energy and momentum, angular momentum, parity, baryon number, Lepton number, Isospin, Strangeness and charm, concept of quark model, color quantum number and gluons.

Cosmic rays: Properties of cosmic rays ,properties of secondary radiation, electronic showers ,geomagnetic effects, cosmic ray stars, the origin of cosmic rays.

Gas detectors : ionization chamber, proportional counter and GM Counter. Basic principle of Scintillation Detectors and construction of photo-multiplier tube (PMT). Semiconductor Detectors (Si & Ge) for charge particle and photon detection (concept of charge carrier and mobility).

Particle Accelerators: Accelerator facility available in India: Van-de Graaff generator (Tandem accelerator), Linear accelerator, Cyclotron, Synchrotrons. 

Alpha decay: basics of α-decay processes, theory of α-emission, Gamow factor, Geiger Nuttall law, α-decay spectroscopy.  Beta decay: energy kinematics for Beta decay, positron emission, electron capture, neutrino hypothesis. Gamma decay: Gamma rays emission & kinematics, internal conversion.