**Preface XI**



Preface

Interest in particle physics continues apace. With the Large Hadron Collider showing early tantalizing glimpses of what may yet prove to be the elusive Higgs Boson, particle physics remains a fertile ground for creative theorists. While the Standard model of particle physics remains hugely successful, nevertheless it is still not fully regarded as a complete holistic description. This book describes the development of what is termed the generation model, which is proposed as an alternative to the standard model and provides a new classification approach to fundamental particles. A further chapter describes an extension to the standard model involving the possibility of a charged Higgs boson and includes an outline of how experimental evidence may be sought at LHC and B‐factory facilities. Coupling of postulated axion particles to photons is tackled with particular reference to magnetized media, together with possible implications for detection in laboratory experiments or astrophysical observations. Modern particle physics now involves major investments in hardware coupled with large‐scale theoretical and computational efforts. The complexity of such synergistic coordinated entities is illustrated within the framework of the e‐science paradigm. Finally, an unexpected and interesting description of the potential radiation hazards associated with extremely weakly interacting neutrinos is provided in the

context of possible future designs of intense muon‐collider facilities.

**Eugene Kennedy** Emeritus Professor

Ireland

School of Physical Sciences, Dublin City University
