PHYSICS LABORATORY

This course propose to the students some modern physics experiments that allow the approach to measurement techniques in use for the study of Fundamental Interactions, Matter and Astrophysics. Each student will carry out three experiments.
The experiments proposed are: 1) Cosmic Rays 2) Compton Scattering 3) Positronium decay 4) Gamma-ray imaging 5) Fast timing 6) Plasma Physics 7) X-ray fluorescence 8) Natural radioactivity and radon counting.
In the first five experiments the students will be trained to the use of scintillator for the detection of particles and gamma-rays and to the use of the relative electronics. Multiparameter events will be constructed exploiting timing coincidences between multiple detectors. The data will be analysed using the ROOT data analysis framework. In the Plasma Physics experiment the students will study the conditions that allow the formation of plasma starting from a small quantity of neutral gas. They will study the physical characterisations of the plasma by means of electronics measurements. The students will have to deal with vacuum and residual gas measurement techniques. The X-fluorescence and natural radioactivity experiments will be performed using high-resolution semiconductor detectors (Silicon and HPGe). They will train the students to spectroscopy techniques of the X and gamma radiation and to the relative analysis techniques.