University of Plymouth-Particle Physics Theory Consolidated Grants 2025
Lead Research Organisation:
UNIVERSITY OF PLYMOUTH
Abstract
The discovery of the Higgs particle marked a key achievement in particle physics, completing the Standard Model (SM), which is currently the most precise and comprehensive description of the interactions among fundamental particles. This model has been successful in describing many experimental results, from the strong nuclear interactions that hold nuclei together, to the electroweak (EW) interactions the govern their radioactive decays. Yet, several aspects of the SM still lack a satisfactory explanation, and several phenomena observed in experiments are still beyond its predictive power. For instance, the confinement mechanism of the strong interactions and the origin of EW symmetry breaking still lack a description, and a quantum theory of gravity or a description of the nature of Dark Matter are not available within the SM.
It has been known for a long time that some of these questions can only be addressed through the study of the non-perturbative regime of Quantum Field Theory, that can be explored using a variety of techniques. A time-honoured approach to study non-perturbative Quantum Field Theory (QFT) quantitatively is the lattice approach. It is successful, but intrinsically numerical and has severe limitations. More recently, new approaches based on Quantum Computing, and the first quantised Worldline formalism are under investigation. In this project, we seek to deepen our understanding of several aspect of SM and Beyond physics using these sophisticated theoretical frameworks, as well as the most advanced computational resources made available by the STFC DiRAC infrastructure and the High-Performance Computing Centre at the University of Plymouth.
In general, the overarching objective is the use of these tools to new developments in the mentioned areas of research, with the aim of revealing new physics that extends beyond the SM, potentially paving the way for a more complete theory. In particular, we will focus on the following aspects:
The study of Glueballs, that are a not-yet-confirmed prediction of the SM that has potential to shed light on confinement. Glueballs are being actively searched at several experimental programs such as BESIII, GlueX and Panda. Also, we will contribute to the computation of the muon anomalous magnetic moment, a very sensitive probe for new physics and for which recent new experimental results have been provided by the muon g-2 collaboration at Fermilab.
The phenomenological viability of minimal composite Higgs models, based on different scenarios, that provide a comprehensive picture of electroweak symmetry breaking and that will come under scrutiny with the data from run 3 at LHC.
The use of Quantum Computing to tackle problems of Quantum Field Theory, namely the sign problem and the computation of dynamical quantities.
The use of the promising worldline formalism to provide fresh perspective on strong interactions: by capitalising on track record in generating compact “Master Formulas” for arbitrary multiplicity amplitudes and extracting non-perturbative information from nonlinear and strongly coupled theories.
It has been known for a long time that some of these questions can only be addressed through the study of the non-perturbative regime of Quantum Field Theory, that can be explored using a variety of techniques. A time-honoured approach to study non-perturbative Quantum Field Theory (QFT) quantitatively is the lattice approach. It is successful, but intrinsically numerical and has severe limitations. More recently, new approaches based on Quantum Computing, and the first quantised Worldline formalism are under investigation. In this project, we seek to deepen our understanding of several aspect of SM and Beyond physics using these sophisticated theoretical frameworks, as well as the most advanced computational resources made available by the STFC DiRAC infrastructure and the High-Performance Computing Centre at the University of Plymouth.
In general, the overarching objective is the use of these tools to new developments in the mentioned areas of research, with the aim of revealing new physics that extends beyond the SM, potentially paving the way for a more complete theory. In particular, we will focus on the following aspects:
The study of Glueballs, that are a not-yet-confirmed prediction of the SM that has potential to shed light on confinement. Glueballs are being actively searched at several experimental programs such as BESIII, GlueX and Panda. Also, we will contribute to the computation of the muon anomalous magnetic moment, a very sensitive probe for new physics and for which recent new experimental results have been provided by the muon g-2 collaboration at Fermilab.
The phenomenological viability of minimal composite Higgs models, based on different scenarios, that provide a comprehensive picture of electroweak symmetry breaking and that will come under scrutiny with the data from run 3 at LHC.
The use of Quantum Computing to tackle problems of Quantum Field Theory, namely the sign problem and the computation of dynamical quantities.
The use of the promising worldline formalism to provide fresh perspective on strong interactions: by capitalising on track record in generating compact “Master Formulas” for arbitrary multiplicity amplitudes and extracting non-perturbative information from nonlinear and strongly coupled theories.
Organisations
People |
ORCID iD |
| Davide Vadacchino (Principal Investigator) |