Course: Monte Carlo generators in High Energy Physics

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Course title Monte Carlo generators in High Energy Physics
Course code SLO/MCFVE
Organizational form of instruction Lecture
Level of course Master
Year of study not specified
Semester Winter and summer
Number of ECTS credits 3
Language of instruction Czech
Status of course Compulsory-optional
Form of instruction Face-to-face
Work placements This is not an internship
Recommended optional programme components None
Lecturer(s)
  • Černý Karel, RNDr. Ph.D.
Course content
Basic principles of the Monte Carlo method. Random sampling, event weighting, and the concept of collision generation. Connection between outputs from quantum field theory and event simulation. Structure and interpretation of the event record. Content and organization of generated events. Particle history, status codes, and event documentation. Use of the event record for physics analysis. Hierarchical structure of event generation. Simulation stages: hard process, parton shower, hadronization, and detector response. Detector effects and their approximate treatment using fast simulation tools. Overview of the main event generators. Key features and applications of Pythia, Herwig, Sherpa, and MadGraph. Practical exercises and applications. Preparation and execution of event simulations. Configuration file setup and control scripting. Analysis and visualization of results using standard tools (e.g., ROOT).

Learning activities and teaching methods
Monologic Lecture(Interpretation, Training), Demonstration
  • Attendace - 26 hours per semester
  • Preparation for the Exam - 34 hours per semester
  • Homework for Teaching - 30 hours per semester
Learning outcomes
The students will become familiar with the principles and applications of Monte Carlo generators used for simulating high-energy collisions of elementary particles. They will understand the role of these generators in interpreting data from accelerator experiments, as well as their importance in testing theoretical models through comparison with experimental results. The course will also include practical training in using selected generators and in tools for analyzing and visualizing the results.
1) Understanding the principles of event generation using the Monte Carlo method, 2) Connection between cross-section calculations in QFT and event simulation, 3) Understanding the generated information ? the event record, 4) Understanding the hierarchy: hard process ? parton shower ? hadronization ? detector, 5) Knowledge of the main generators (Pythia, Herwig, Sherpa, MadGraph), 6) Practical ability to set up and run simulations, analyze, and visualize the results.
Prerequisites
Not specified.

Assessment methods and criteria
Oral exam, Student performance

Very basic knowledge of particle physics. Attendance at lectures. Willingness and ability to write simple control scripts for event generation.
Recommended literature
  • A. Buckley et al. (2011). General-purpose event generators for LHC physics. Phys. Rept. 504 (2011) 145-233.
  • F. Krauss, C. H. Kom, T. Pierog, R. Ulrich, J. Winter. (2009). Introduction to Monte Carlo Tools and Event Generators. Lect. Notes Phys. 779, 1?49.
  • I. Montvay, G. Münster. (1994). Quantum Fields on a Lattice. Cambridge University Press.
  • R. K. Ellis, W. J. Stirling, B. R. Webber. (1996). QCD and Collider Physics. Cambridge University Press.
  • T. Sjöstrand, M. Mrenna, P. Skands. (2008). A Brief Introduction to PYTHIA 8.1. Comput. Phys. Commun. 17, 852?867.


Study plans that include the course
Faculty Study plan (Version) Category of Branch/Specialization Recommended year of study Recommended semester
Faculty: Faculty of Science Study plan (Version): Applied Physics (2019) Category: Physics courses - Recommended year of study:-, Recommended semester: -