Understanding, designing and conducting experiments is at the heart of science. This text introduces the fundamental principles on which physicists should build a thorough experimental approach to their discipline.

This book brings together the most important topics in experimental particle physics over the past forty years to give a brief but balanced overview of the subject. The author begins by reviewing particle physics and discussing electromagnetic and nuclear interactions. He then goes on to discuss three nearly universal aspects of particle physics experiments: beams, targets, and fast electronics. The second part of the book treats in detail the properties of various types of particle detector, such as scintillation counters, Cerenkov counters, proportional chambers, drift chambers, sampling calorimeters, and specialized detectors. Wherever possible the author attempts to enumerate the advantages and disadvantages of performance. Finally, he discusses aspects of specific experiments, such as properties of triggers, types of measurement, spectrometers, and the integration of detectors into coherent systems. Throughout the book, each chapter begins with a discussion of the basic principles involved, followed by selective examples.

This new book aims to guide both the experimentalist and theoretician through their compulsory laboratory courses forming part of an undergraduate physics degree. The rationale behind this book is to show students and interested readers the value and beauty within a carefully planned and executed experiment, and to help them to develop the skills to carry out experiments themselves.

A practical introduction to the use of probability and statistics in experimental physics for graduate students and advanced undergraduates. Intended as a practical guide, and not as a comprehensive text, the emphasis is on applications and understanding, on theorems and techniques that are actually used in experimental physics. Proofs of theorems are generally omitted unless they contribute to the intuition in understanding and applying the theorem. The problems, many with worked solutions, introduce the student to the use of computers; occasional reference is made to some of the Fortran routines available in the CERN library, but other systems, such as Maple, will also be useful.

Excerpt from Procedures in Experimental Physics Introduction. General procedure. Theory of grinding and polishing. Methods of polishing. Procedure for Optical surfaces of 3 to 6 inches in diameter and larger. Cutting and roughing out the work. Biscuit cutter. Glass saws. Modified Draper machine. Support Of the work. Grinding the curve in the work. Fine grinding. Pitch for tools. Polishing. Figuring. Cutting zones and transi tion zones. Interpretation Of the action Of polishing and figuring tools. Figuring tools for zones. Manner Of figuring various zonal defects, and of making aspheric surfaces Of revolution'. Astigmatism. Optical testing. Newton's fringes. Haidinger's fringes. Eyepiece tests. Foucault knife-edge test. Zonal knife - edge testing. The Ronchi test. Hartmann's test. Lining up a system of mirrors. Two methods of generating Optical surfaces. Working Optical surfaces on the hand-lever machine. Relationship between two optical surfaces. Blocking. Quartz and calcite. Optical working of crystals. Polish ing of metals. The Schmidt camera. About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.

This textbook provides the knowledge and skills needed for thorough understanding of the most important methods and ways of thinking in experimental physics. The reader learns to design, assemble, and debug apparatus, to use it to take meaningful data, and to think carefully about the story told by the data. Key Features: Efficiently helps students grow into independent experimentalists through a combination of structured yet thought-provoking and challenging exercises, student-designed experiments, and guided but open-ended exploration. Provides solid coverage of fundamental background information, explained clearly for undergraduates, such as ground loops, optical alignment techniques, scientific communication, and data acquisition using LabVIEW, Python, or Arduino. Features carefully designed lab experiences to teach fundamentals, including analog electronics and low noise measurements, digital electronics, microcontrollers, FPGAs, computer interfacing, optics, vacuum techniques, and particle detection methods. Offers a broad range of advanced experiments for each major area of physics, from condensed matter to particle physics. Also provides clear guidance for student development of projects not included here. Provides a detailed Instructor’s Manual for every lab, so that the instructor can confidently teach labs outside their own research area.

This volume of Methods of Experimental Physics provides an extensive introduction to probability and statistics in many areas of the physical sciences, with an emphasis on the emerging area of spatial statistics. The scope of topics covered is wide-ranging-the text discusses a variety of the most commonly used classical methods and addresses newer methods that are applicable or potentially important. The chapter authors motivate readers with their insightful discussions. - Examines basic probability, including coverage of standard distributions, time series models, and Monte Carlo methods - Describes statistical methods, including basic inference, goodness of fit, maximum likelihood, and least squares - Addresses time series analysis, including filtering and spectral analysis - Includes simulations of physical experiments - Features applications of statistics to atmospheric physics and radio astronomy - Covers the increasingly important area of modern statistical computing