Astroparticle physics

In this course, students gain basic knowledge of astroparticle physics, including the origin, propagation, and detection of astroparticles. Through tutorials, students develop skills in independent problem-solving, which are necessary for further in-depth studies in the field.

Introductory knowledge of astronomy, physics and electrodynamics, as obtained in 1st Cycle Bologna level courses.

1. Historical overview of astroparticle physics
2. Cosmic rays and their connection to elementary particle physics
3. Energy spectrum, sources of cosmic rays, and acceleration mechanisms
4. Propagation of cosmic rays over cosmic distances
5. Cosmic rays at Earth: primary cosmic rays and secondary cosmic rays in extensive air showers
6. Dark matter as cosmic particles
7. Cosmic ray detection techniques
8. Overview of major cosmic ray experiments

By the end of the course, students will be able to:
• Understand and explain basic phenomena related to cosmic particles;
• Understand and explain cosmic particle detection methods;
• Present most important experiments in the field.

• A. De Angelis, M.J.M. Pimenta: Introduction to Particle and Astroparticle Physics, Springer, 2015 Catalogue
• M. Spurio: Particles and Astrphysics, Springer, 2015
• C. Grupen: Astroparticle physics, Springer, 2005 Catalogue E-version

• Assignments
• Oral examination

Prof. dr. Samo Stanič je redni profesor za področje fizike / Dr. Samo Stanič is full professor of physics at the University of Nova Gorica. Izbrane reference / Selected publications:

1. O. Ballester et al., A 1.8 m class pathfinder Raman LIDAR for the Northern Site of the Cherenkov Telescope Array Observatory - Technical Design, Remote Sens. 17(6), 1074 (2025).
2. B. Sripathi Acharya et al., Sensitivity of the Cherenkov Telescope Array to a dark matter signal from the Galactic centre, JCAP 01 057 (2021).
3. B.P. Abbott et al., Multi-messenger observations of a binary neutron star merger, The Astrophysical Journal Letters, 848, 1-59 (2017).
4. A. Aab et al., AUGER Collaboration. Observation of a large-scale anisotropy in the arrival directions of cosmic rays above 8 × 1018eV , Science, 357, 1266-1270 (2017).
5. S.-W. Lin et al., Belle Collaboration. Difference in direct charge-parity violation between charged and neutral B meson decays, Nature, 452, 332–335 (2008).