2754

SECOND PUBLIC EXAMINATION

Honour School of Physics Part C: 4 Year Course

Honour School of Physics and Philosophy Part C

C4: PARTICLE PHYSICS

TRINITY TERM 2014

Thursday, 19 June, 2.30 pm – 5.45 pm

15 minutes reading time

Answer four questions.

Start the answer to each question in a fresh book.

A list of physical constants and conversion factors accompanies this paper.

The numbers in the margin indicate the weight that the Examiners anticipate
assigning to each part of the question.

Do NOT turn over until told that you may do so.

Pages 2 and 3 contain particle physics formulae and data for this paper.
The questions start on page 4.

1
C4 Particle Physics formulae and data
Unless otherwise indicated, the questions on this paper use natural units with
h̄ = c = 1. The energy unit is GeV.
Cross sections 1 GeV−2 = 0.3894 mb
Length 1 GeV−1 = 0.1973 fm
Time 1 GeV−1 = 6.582 × 10−25 s
Fermi constant GF = 1.166 × 10−5 GeV−2

Dirac (Dirac-Pauli representation) and Pauli matrices

! ! !
0 I 0 0 σ 5 0 I
γ = , γ= , γ =
0 −I −σ 0 I 0
! ! !
0 1 0 −i 1 0
σ1 = , σ2 = , σ3 =
1 0 i 0 0 −1

Rotation matrices hj, m0 |e−iJy θ |j, mi = djm0 m (θ)

1/2 1/2 1/2 1/2
d++ = d−− = cos(θ/2) ; d−+ = −d+− = sin(θ/2).
d111 = d1−1−1 = (1 + cos θ)/2 ; d11−1 = d1−11 = (1 − cos θ)/2 ;
√
d100 = cos θ ; d101 = −d110 = −d10−1 = d1−10 = sin θ/ 2 .

Spherical harmonics Ylm (θ, φ)

r r r
1 3 3
Y00 = ; Y10 = cos θ ; Y1±1 = ∓ sin θ e±iφ .
4π 4π 8π
r r r
5 15 15
Y20 = (3 cos2 θ − 1) ; Y2±1 = ∓ sin θ cos θ e±iφ ; Y2±2 = sin2 θ e±2iφ .
16π 8π 32π

CKM quark mixing matrix

The mixing of the charge −e/3 quark mass eigenstates (d, s, b) is expressed in a
3 × 3 unitary matrix V :
 0
d Vud Vus Vub d
  
 s0  =  Vcd Vcs Vcb   s  .
b0 Vtd Vts Vtb b
The magnitudes of the elements, derived from the Particle Data Group 2004 tables, are
given below. The number in brackets gives an estimate of the uncertainty in the last
digit. Note that these values may not give an exactly unitary matrix, but this has no
significance.
0.975(0) 0.224(3) 0.004(1)
 

V =  0.224(3) 0.974(1) 0.042(2) 

0.009(5) 0.040(3) 0.999(0)

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Clebsch–Gordan coefficients

1
1 × 2

3 3 1 3 1 3
J 2 2 2 2 2 2
m1 m2 M + 32 + 21 + 12 − 21 − 12 − 32
+1 + 21 1
− 12
p p
+1 1/3 2/3
+ 21
p p
0 2/3 − 1/3
− 12
p p
0 2/3 1/3
+ 12
p p
−1 1/3 − 2/3
−1 − 12 1

1 × 1

J 2 2 1 2 1 0 2 1 2
m1 m2 M +2 +1 +1 0 0 0 −1 −1 −2
+1 +1 1
p p
+1 0 1/2 1/2
p p
0 +1 1/2 − 1/2
p p p
+1 −1 1/6 1/2 1/3
p p
0 0 2/3 0 − 1/3
p p p
−1 +1 1/6 − 1/2 1/3
p p
0 −1 1/2 1/2
p p
−1 0 1/2 − 1/2
−1 −1 1

Breit-Wigner resonance formula

The formula represents the energy dependence of the total cross-section σ(i → f )
for unpolarised scattering between a two-body initial state i to a final state f , in the
vicinity of a resonance of rest-mass energy M , spin J and total width Γ.
Γi Γf
σ(i → f ) = πλ̄2 g ,
[(E − M )2 + Γ2 /4]

h̄c 2J + 1
where λ̄ = , g = , p is the magnitude of the centre-of-mass mo-
pc (2sa + 1)(2sb + 1)
mentum of the initial state particles, sa , sb are their spins and Γi , Γf the initial and
final state partial widths.

2754 3 [Turn over]

 1. Explain how Young’s tableaux are used to represent the combination of two spin-
1
2 particles as 2 ⊗ 2 = 3 ⊕ 1. Add a third tableau to derive a representation for the
combination of three spin- 12 particles. [5]
Starting with the symmetric state, | 23 , +23 i = |↑↑↑i, derive the eight orthogonal
combinations of three spin- 12 particles grouping them according to the representation
derived in the first part of the question. [6]
What is isospin? What assumptions underpin its usefulness? What is its relation
to angular momentum spin? Hence write down the eight combinations of three isospin- 21
particles with an appropriate notation. [6]
The baryon wavefunction consists of four parts, ψ = ψspatial ψspin ψf lavour ψcolour .
Briefly explain how the observation of the J=S= 32 , ∆++ baryon motivates the inclusion
of ψcolour . Deduce the normalised spin-flavour wavefunction for the proton in the static
quark model and clearly state any important assumption. [8]

2. A free particle solution of the Dirac equation is Ψ(x) = C(p) exp(−ip · x), where
p = (E, 0, 0, p3 ). Find the normalized E > 0 spinors C+ (p) and C− (p) for positive
and negative helicity states in the standard Dirac representation and using covariant
normalization. [15]
The operator for spin projection on the x-axis is
!
1 σ1 0
Σ1 = .
2 0 σ1

Show that neither C+ (p) nor C− (p) is an eigenstate of Σ1 . [3]

The expectation value of Σ1 is
1 †
hΣ1 i = C (p)Σ1 C(p),
2E
where C = C+ (p) cos α + C− (p) sin α, with α a real constant, and normalization is to
unit volume. Calculate hΣ1 i and interpret the result in the non-relativistic and the
ultra-relativistic limits for α = ±π/4. [7]

2754 4
 3. In the simple quark-parton model the cross section for deep inelastic electron
proton scattering is given by

d2 σ X 2πα2 s 2 h i
= xfi (x) 4
qi 1 + (1 − y)2 for Q2  MZ2 c2 , (1)
dx dy i
Q

where s is the square of the e-p centre-of-mass energy, Q2 is the negative of the squared
4-momentum transfer between the electron and the proton, and y is a function of the
scattering angle θ in the e-q centre-of-mass frame, y = 21 (1 − cos θ). Justify qualitatively
the form of the above expression, explaining the form of the dependence on y, s and
α. What do the variable x, the parameter qi and the function fi (x) represent in the
quark-parton model? [10]
What is meant by the term Bjorken-scaling? How does Quantum Chromodynam-
ics modify the predictions of the quark-parton model? [3]
Starting from equation (1), but restricting your model to u and d flavours only,
show that the proton structure function F2ep may be written as

4 1
F2ep = x[u(x) + ū(x)] + x[d(x) + d(x)],
¯
9 9
and define the terms. If scattering is performed using a deuteron target how would this
formula be modified? [4]
Deep inelastic scattering can also be performed using neutrino probes. The quark-
parton model expression for neutrino-proton scattering through the exchange of a W
boson is given by
 
d2 σ sG2F
xf¯i (x) ,
X X
=  xfi (x) + (1 − y)2 for Q2  MW
2 2
c . (2)
dx dy π i ī

Explain the form of this expression, paying particular attention to the y-dependence
and the flavours entering the sums. How would the flavour structure be modified for
neutrino-deuteron scattering? By comparing your expression to the general form
νD !2
d2 σ sG2F MW2 h i
= 2 (1 + (1 − y)2 )F2νD + (1 − (1 − y)2 )xF3νD ,
dx dy 4π MW + Q2

write down the quark-parton model prediction for the F2νD structure function and hence
derive the relationship
5
F2eD = F2νD .
18
[8]

2754 5 [Turn over]

 4. What is meant by the universality of charged current weak interactions as applied
to leptons? Explain how the CKM matrix is used to generalize the universality to the
quark sector. Illustrate your answer by listing the possible decay modes of a W− boson
at the lepton or quark level and giving the applicable vertex factors. [7]
When the final state of W decays include quarks, there can be effects due to second
order strong interactions. Illustrate what such a second order strong interaction is with
Feynman diagrams of W decays. The total effect of all these interactions has been
computed to increase the partial width of the W to quark states by a factor (1 + α/π),
where α is measured from other experiments to be 0.119 ± 0.002. By using the factors
obtained above and assuming lepton universality, obtain an expression for each of the
decay modes of the W in terms of the branching ratio B (W → `ν` ), where ` is a lepton.
Hence obtain an expression for B (W → `ν` ) in terms of relevant CKM matrix elements
and α. [5]
The current best measurements of |Vcs | are less accurate than the other elements
of the CKM matrix involved in the decay of the W. Use your expression from above,
along with the measurement of B (W → `ν` ) = (10.83 ± 0.07 ± 0.07)%, to obtain a value
for |Vcs |. Obtain an improved value under the assumption that the CKM matrix is
unitary. [5]
Explain how the following are sensitive to one or more elements of the CKM
matrix and may be used to make a measurement of CKM elements:
(a) The ratio of the decay rates of K + → π 0 e+ νe and π + → π 0 e+ νe .
(b) The rate at which muon pairs are produced in interactions of muon neutrinos with
nuclei.
(c) The muon energy spectrum of B decays, in particular near the high-energy end of
the spectrum.
[8]

2754 6
 5. Explain what the observation of both K ± → π ± π 0 and K ± → π ± π + π − decays
says about parity invariance in weak decays. Explain further, why two neutral kaons
are observed with very different lifetimes despite almost identical mass: τ (K1 ) = 90 ps;
τ (K2 ) = 51 ns. [6]
Neutral kaons are produced in a state of definite flavour by a pion beam incident
on a proton target. The time evolution of the kaons’ strangeness is examined by re-
constructing semileptonic K → π ± l∓ ν decays. Using Feynman diagrams, illustrate and
explain these two statements. [4]
The time evolution of the neutral kaons may be written as
h  i h  i
|K 0 (t)i = √1
2
exp −iM1 − Γ1
2 t |K1 i + √1
2
exp −iM2 − Γ2
2 t |K2 i ,

where M1(2) and Γ1(2) are the mass and decay constant of the K1(2) state. Derive
expressions for the intensity of the |K 0 i and |K̄ 0 i components as a function of time in
terms of the mass difference, ∆M = M2 − M1 .
Taking ∆M = +5.24 × 10−3 ps−1 , sketch both the |K 0 i and |K̄ 0 i intensity curves on
a graph of “fraction of the initial intensity” versus “proper time” during the first 1000
picoseconds. [8]
The positive sign of ∆M is known from measuring the rate of K1 regeneration
in a K2 beam after it is passed through a block of material. Explain qualitatively how
this regeneration can occur. [3]
The average lifetimes and mass differences from other neutral meson systems are
given in the table. Comment on the observability of their flavour oscillations.

D Bd Bs
hτ i ps 0.41 1.52 1.52
∆M ps−1 0.01 0.51 17.7
[4]

2754 7 [Turn over]

 6. For each of the following processes, give an argument (quantitative, where possi-
ble) whether the final state given is the most likely final state and in case where it is
clearly not, give an example of a more likely one. For processes that are forbidden, rare
or strongly suppressed, explain why. Detailed phase space calculations are not required.
For the W, t and H consider the decays into quarks and ignore the step where hadrons
are formed.
(a) ∆+ → n π +
(b) K0S → π + e− ν̄e
(c) H → ZZ
(d) D0 → π + π −
(e) t → Wb
(f) W− → e− ν̄
(g) K + → π + νe ν̄e
(h) K0L → µ+ µ−
(i) J/Ψ → e+ e−
(j) π + → e+ νe
[25]

2754 8
 7. Fermi’s Golden rule for a system with total energy E and total momentum P~ is
   
m n n n
1 d3 pj
Z
~−
Y Y X X
4
Γf i = (2π) | Mf i |2 3 (2E )
δ P p
~j  δ E − Ej  ,
i=1
2Ei j=1
(2π) j j=1 j=1
| {z }
Lorentz invariant phase space

for m initial particles with energy Ei and n final state particles with energy and mo-
mentum Ej and pj respectively. By switching to polar coordinates and making use of
the Dirac delta-function identity,
−1
df
δ(f (x)) = δ(x − a) ,
dx a

prove that the partial width of a two-body decay of a particle is

|p∗ |
Z
Γf i = | Mf i |2 dΩ ,
32π 2 m2i

where dΩ is the solid angle infinitesimal, mi is the mass of the decaying state, and |p∗ | is
the magnitude of the momentum of the final state particles in the centre of mass frame.
[11]
Furthermore show that by energy conservation,
1 q 2
p∗ = [mi − (m1 + m2 )2 ][m2i − (m1 − m2 )2 ]
2mi
[6]
Give p∗ for the case m2 = 0. Hence calculate the ratio of phase space factors for
the decays π − → e− ν̄e and π − → µ− ν̄µ . The measured value for the branching ratio
Γ (π − → e− ν̄e ) /Γ (π − → µ− ν̄µ ) is 1.23 × 10−4 . Explain what needs to be included in
the calculation of the branching ratio to achieve better agreement with the experimental
value. What would be the lifetime of the charged pions if the leptons were massless? [8]

8. Write short accounts on three of the following topics.

(a) The determination of sin2 ΘW , where ΘW is the weak mixing angle.
(b) The experimental evidence for gluons.
(c) The determination of the helicity of the neutrino.
(d) Electroweak symmetry breaking and the search for the Higgs boson.
(e) The number of different neutrino types is 3.
[25]

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