Available:*
Library | Item Barcode | Call Number | Material Type | Item Category 1 | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Searching... | 30000000270490 | QC793.5B62W37 1986 | Open Access Book | Book | Searching... |
On Order
Summary
Summary
This is a first-hand account of one of the most important scientific discoveries of the twentieth century. In 1983, two groups of scientists working at CERN near Geneva collected data, which were subsequently shown to be consistent with the W and Z bosons. This work earned two of those scientists the 1984 Nobel Prize in Physics. The author of this book, Peter Watkins, was a member of one of those groups. His book opens with a brief statement of the background, explaining in non-technical terms the theoretical developments that led to the prediction in the late 1960s of the existence of the W and Z bosons. He then moves on rapidly to describe the background to the experiments, explaining as he does so the problems that had to be overcome, and giving details of the accelerators, detectors and computers used in these very advanced- and difficult- experiments.
Reviews 1
Choice Review
An extraordinarily well written book on the most recent frontiers in high energy physics. Watkins has accomplished a remarkable feat in keeping the writing at a rather nontechnical level using practically no mathematical expression. This is indeed a book on a highly technical subject written specifically for the inquisitive and somewhat educated general reader. At the same time experts in all branches of science, including those in high energy physics, will find the volume to be well worth their reading time. The main theme is the discoveries in early 1983 of the two particles, called the W and Z bosons, whose existence has been predicted by the unification theory among two of the four basic known forces of nature. Particular emphasis has been placed upon one of the two crucial experiments carried out at the large European research center, CERN, in Switzerland. Watkins was an active participating research physicist of this experiment, a role that has contributed to the high authority of his treatment of the subject matter. His choice and treatment of background information and of the physics needed for appreciation of the discoveries are excellent. There is sufficient bibliography. Very highly recommended for all college and university libraries, and for those public libraries serving the inquisitive educated public.-H. Shwe, East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania
Table of Contents
| Part I The Background |
| 1 Introduction |
| 2 Inside the atom |
| 3 Quarks and leptons |
| 4 Unification of forces |
| Part II The Objective |
| 5 The experimental test |
| 6 How do we recognise a W or Z boson? |
| Part III The Tools for the Search |
| 7 Accelerators and CERN |
| 8 Detectors |
| 9 The UA1 experiment |
| Part IV The Search |
| 10 Installation and the early runs |
| 11 The search for the W boson |
| 12 The search for the Z boson |
| 13 The search continues |
| Part V The Future |
| 14 What next? |
| Appendix |
