Optimising the ATLAS Level-1 Calorimeter Trigger and Top-Antitop Charge Asymmetry
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Birmingham
Department Name: School of Physics and Astronomy
Abstract
The last year I have been working on a scenario where the luminosity at the ATLAS experiment becomes high enough that we need to apply harsher cuts on the trigger selection. I used a sample of background QCD jets (events we don't want to keep) and a sample of electrons from Z bosons (that we do want to keep) to reduce the rate of data-taking but keeping the efficiency as high as possible. A set of cuts were thus deduced and have been placed in the trigger menu which may be used for this year's running of the LHC.
I am further involved with an analysis on top-antitop quark charge asymmetry. Here we are looking at the decay products of the two particles and observing their respective boosts (rapidities) in the detector to see if their values differ from those predicted by the Standard Model of Particle Physics. Some models beyond the Standard Model predict different behaviour. Currently, I am comparing methods which reconstruct the top quarks from their decay products, seeing how well they perform, using Monte-Carlo data to test them.
My main thesis topic is yet to be decided but will be a larger analysis on top quarks, perhaps even a continuation of charge asymmetry with all of the LHC run 2 data.
I am further involved with an analysis on top-antitop quark charge asymmetry. Here we are looking at the decay products of the two particles and observing their respective boosts (rapidities) in the detector to see if their values differ from those predicted by the Standard Model of Particle Physics. Some models beyond the Standard Model predict different behaviour. Currently, I am comparing methods which reconstruct the top quarks from their decay products, seeing how well they perform, using Monte-Carlo data to test them.
My main thesis topic is yet to be decided but will be a larger analysis on top quarks, perhaps even a continuation of charge asymmetry with all of the LHC run 2 data.
Organisations
People |
ORCID iD |
Paul Newman (Primary Supervisor) | |
Robert Vallance (Student) |
Publications
Studentship Projects
Project Reference | Relationship | Related To | Start | End | Student Name |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
ST/N503939/1 | 30/09/2015 | 29/03/2021 | |||
1843685 | Studentship | ST/N503939/1 | 30/09/2016 | 30/03/2020 | Robert Vallance |
Description | ATLAS experiment tour guide |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Worked as a tour guide for the ATLAS experiment during the winter months when the LHC was switched off. Took members of the public (and other scientists) down to the underground cavern, showing them the ATLAS experiment, talking about it's main workings and my work on my PhD / at CERN. Received lots of positive comments and questions during the tours, helping the public to understand what CERN and the LHC is about. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017,2018 |
Description | Particle Physics Open Day / Interview Day help |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Schools |
Results and Impact | Assisted with open days and postgrad interview days at the University of Birmingham. Demonstrated some of the experiments in the showroom and chatted to prospective students on university/undergrad/postgrad life. Aim to encourage students to apply to the university or answer any questions about the department during the interview days. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017,2019 |
Description | Talking to school groups visiting CERN |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Schools |
Results and Impact | Spoke with school groups from the UK visiting CERN. Worked with a few other academics and postgrad students to chat to the students around tables or stand up in front of them in Q&A sessions, talking about experiences at CERN and life as a researcher. Received glowing comments from the teachers, including cards/gifts from our efforts. I hope this will have inspired more younger people to go into science. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017,2018 |