Oxford Particle Physics Rolling Grant 2006 (New pay arrangements have yet to be implemented)

Lead Research Organisation: University of Oxford
Department Name: Oxford Physics

Abstract

Particle physics attempts to understand the Universe and its evolution in terms of the interplay of a small number of fundamental forces and particles. The last thirty years has seen the development of a robust and extremely successful theoretical framework in which all available data can be explained. However, this model is demonstrably incomplete and has many parameters that must be inserted by hand. Our proposed progamme will significantly advance our understanding of whatever theory must be constructed to replace the Standard Model. Our collaboration in the SNO experiment has been a major contributor to our understanding of the phenomenon of neutrino mass, originally outside the Standard Model. As SNO draws to an end, we will continue our neutrino investigations with a leading role in the MINOS experiment and prepare for the future by proposing involvement with the Braidwood reactor experiment. The CDF and ZEUS experiments are also coming to the end of their life but we intend to continue our important contributions to the remaining running and in the exploitation of the full data sample to produce papers whose results are likely to remain in the text-books for many years. The LHC experiments will come on line during the period of this Rolling Grant and we will do everything in our power to ensure that Oxford plays a major role in the extraction of physics results from ATLAS and LHCb, which have the potential to completely revolutionise our understanding of particle physics. We are committed to providing the computing resources and analysis tools necessary for the extraction of these results, and our work in ensuring that Grid concepts and technology are available to the wider academic and business communtiy will continue. The CRESST-II and cryo-EDM experiments will use technologies in which Oxford has a world lead to explore some of the most important questions in particle physics and cosmology; in particular the nature off the material that appears to make up most of the Universe. The John Adams Institute for Accelerator Science has major programmes in the accelerators of the future, the International Linear Collider and the Neutrino Factory. The JAI has made an excellent beginning and its work will be further strengthened in the near future. We are also providing leaders in international bodies charged with the development of new accelerators. We will continue to develop and enhance our capabilities in mechanical and electronics design so that Oxford will retain the ability to construct the most sophisticated apparatus of whatever size is required for the task. We are determined to play a leading role in world particle physics in the future, as we have in the past.

Publications

10 25 50
publication icon
Chekanov S (2007) Measurement of meson production in scattering at low in Physics Letters B

 
Description Advanced Fellowship
Amount £436,109 (GBP)
Organisation Science and Technologies Facilities Council (STFC) 
Sector Public
Country United Kingdom
Start  
 
Description Advanced Fellowship
Amount £238,403 (GBP)
Organisation Science and Technologies Facilities Council (STFC) 
Sector Public
Country United Kingdom
Start  
 
Description Associateship
Amount £4,000 (GBP)
Organisation Durham University 
Department Institute for Particle Physics Phenomenology (IPPP)
Sector Academic/University
Country United Kingdom
Start  
 
Description Award
Amount £85,878 (GBP)
Organisation University of Oxford 
Department John Fell Fund
Sector Academic/University
Country United Kingdom
Start  
 
Description Award
Amount £43,000 (GBP)
Organisation University of Oxford 
Department John Fell Fund
Sector Academic/University
Country United Kingdom
Start  
 
Description EPSRC NPL Post Doctoral Research Partnership
Amount £602,218 (GBP)
Organisation Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) 
Sector Public
Country United Kingdom
Start  
 
Description FP6 - EGEE II
Amount £136,651 (GBP)
Funding ID 31688 
Organisation European Commission 
Sector Public
Country European Union (EU)
Start  
 
Description FP7 - EGEE III
Amount £114,836 (GBP)
Funding ID 222667 
Organisation European Commission 
Sector Public
Country European Union (EU)
Start  
 
Description FP7 - Integrating activity
Amount £184,200 (GBP)
Organisation European Commission 
Sector Public
Country European Union (EU)
Start  
 
Description FP7 - Preparatory Phase Projects
Amount £306,878 (GBP)
Organisation European Commission 
Sector Public
Country European Union (EU)
Start  
 
Description Fellowship
Amount £71,359 (GBP)
Organisation The Leverhulme Trust 
Sector Charity/Non Profit
Country United Kingdom
Start  
 
Description Fellowship
Amount £466,979 (GBP)
Organisation The Leverhulme Trust 
Sector Charity/Non Profit
Country United Kingdom
Start  
 
Description Framework 7
Amount £330,367 (GBP)
Organisation European Commission 
Sector Public
Country European Union (EU)
Start  
 
Description International Joint Projects
Amount £10,800 (GBP)
Organisation The Royal Society 
Sector Charity/Non Profit
Country United Kingdom
Start  
 
Description Japan-UK Collaboration
Amount £2,250 (GBP)
Organisation Daiwa Anglo-Japanese Foundation 
Sector Charity/Non Profit
Country United Kingdom
Start  
 
Description Japan-UK Collaboration
Amount £2,500 (GBP)
Organisation Daiwa Anglo-Japanese Foundation 
Sector Charity/Non Profit
Country United Kingdom
Start  
 
Description Japan-UK partnership
Amount £3,200 (GBP)
Organisation The Nippon Foundation 
Sector Charity/Non Profit
Country Japan
Start  
 
Description New lecturer scheme
Amount £49,000 (GBP)
Organisation University of Oxford 
Department John Fell Fund
Sector Academic/University
Country United Kingdom
Start  
 
Description PNPAS grant
Amount £730,000 (GBP)
Organisation Science and Technologies Facilities Council (STFC) 
Sector Public
Country United Kingdom
Start  
 
Description PUS Large Award
Amount £92,522 (GBP)
Organisation Science and Technologies Facilities Council (STFC) 
Sector Public
Country United Kingdom
Start 04/2007 
End 04/2011
 
Description PUS Small Award
Amount £6,000 (GBP)
Organisation Science and Technologies Facilities Council (STFC) 
Sector Public
Country United Kingdom
Start  
 
Description PUS Small Award
Amount £7,898 (GBP)
Organisation Science and Technologies Facilities Council (STFC) 
Sector Public
Country United Kingdom
Start  
 
Description Partnership facilitation
Amount £5,620 (GBP)
Organisation University of Oxford 
Department Oxford Princeton Partnership
Sector Academic/University
Country United Kingdom
Start  
 
Description Paul Instrument Fund
Amount £11,800 (GBP)
Organisation The Royal Society 
Sector Charity/Non Profit
Country United Kingdom
Start  
 
Description Project Grant
Amount £347,050 (GBP)
Organisation Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) 
Sector Public
Country United Kingdom
Start  
 
Description Project Grant
Amount £395,000 (GBP)
Organisation Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) 
Sector Public
Country United Kingdom
Start  
 
Description Project grant
Amount £137,000 (GBP)
Organisation Science and Technologies Facilities Council (STFC) 
Sector Public
Country United Kingdom
Start  
 
Description Proof of principle
Amount £45,000 (GBP)
Organisation University of Oxford 
Department Oxford University Innovation
Sector Private
Country United Kingdom
Start  
 
Description Public Engagement
Amount £5,000 (GBP)
Organisation Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) 
Sector Public
Country United Kingdom
Start  
 
Description Research Award
Amount £15,000 (GBP)
Organisation The Royal Society 
Sector Charity/Non Profit
Country United Kingdom
Start  
 
Description Research facilitator
Amount £150,000 (GBP)
Organisation University of Oxford 
Department John Fell Fund
Sector Academic/University
Country United Kingdom
Start  
 
Description Rolling programme
Amount £300,000 (GBP)
Organisation University of Oxford 
Department Oxford Martin School
Sector Academic/University
Country United Kingdom
Start 02/2007 
End 04/2012
 
Description Standard Grant
Amount £2,000,940 (GBP)
Organisation Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) 
Sector Public
Country United Kingdom
Start  
 
Description Standard Grant
Amount £585,861 (GBP)
Organisation Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) 
Sector Public
Country United Kingdom
Start  
 
Description Standard grant
Amount £2,891,670 (GBP)
Organisation Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) 
Sector Public
Country United Kingdom
Start  
 
Description Standard grant
Amount £1,165,020 (GBP)
Organisation Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) 
Sector Public
Country United Kingdom
Start  
 
Description Workshop grant
Amount £9,940 (GBP)
Organisation European Science Foundation (ESF) 
Sector Charity/Non Profit
Country France
Start  
 
Description Young researcher
Amount £1,400 (GBP)
Organisation Nuffield Foundation 
Sector Charity/Non Profit
Country United Kingdom
Start  
 
Description AIDA 
Organisation European Commission
Department Science Directorate
Country Belgium 
Sector Public 
PI Contribution Development of silicon pixel detectors and associated electronics for a wide variety of applications.
Collaborator Contribution AIDA is a large collaboration working in the general area of detector development for particle physics and other applications. We benefit from the interaction and collaboration with all the other members of the collaboration, many of whom are also deveoting substantial of their own financial resourcers to the problem.
Impact The collaboration has just begun and outputs are beginning to develop.
Start Year 2010
 
Description AMULET 
Organisation Etalon AG
Country Germany 
Sector Private 
PI Contribution Adaption of laser-interferometry techniques developed for the International Linear Collider to problems of industrial relevance to metrology. Development of software and electronics to use these techniques in this context.
Collaborator Contribution Development of industrialisation techniques for concepts developed by Oxford and NPL groups.
Impact Two patents have been obtained and intellectual property is lodged with ISIS Innovations.
 
Description AMULET 
Organisation National Physical Laboratory
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution Adaption of laser-interferometry techniques developed for the International Linear Collider to problems of industrial relevance to metrology. Development of software and electronics to use these techniques in this context.
Collaborator Contribution Development of industrialisation techniques for concepts developed by Oxford and NPL groups.
Impact Two patents have been obtained and intellectual property is lodged with ISIS Innovations.
 
Description Cancer 
Organisation University of Oxford
Department Oxford Martin School
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution Development of Hadron Therapy via the John nAdams Institute for Accelerator Science
Collaborator Contribution Provides a platform for integration with external stake-holders and other projects within the institute
Impact Development of proposal to NHS for hadron therapy centre at John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford.
Start Year 2009
 
Description EUCARD 
Organisation European Commission
Country European Union (EU) 
Sector Public 
PI Contribution Design of various beam instrumentation devices, electronics and use of laser interferometry for accelerator metrology.
Collaborator Contribution The EUCARD Collaboration is very large and joins all major labs in Europe involved in accelerator R&D. We benefit greatly from the collaboration with all members in the collaboration.
Impact A wide variety of publications and devices are being produced by this collaboration. Most of them are long term and have not yet to outputs as yet.
Start Year 2008
 
Description PIMMS 
Organisation Rutherford Appleton Laboratory
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution Originated idea to use pixel detectors in mass spectrometry by using technical developments designed for the International Linear Collider. Development of detectors and electronics for this application.
Collaborator Contribution Provision of staff to develop the project and produce applicvations for funding
Impact PNPAS KE Project begun in July 2009. The imaging mass spectrometer idea which arose from this collaboration was initially patented by ISIS Innovation Ltd. on behalf of the researchers in 2006, and, later in 2008, as international patent PCT/GB2008/004085.
Start Year 2006
 
Description PIMMS 
Organisation University of Oxford
Department Department of Chemistry
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution Originated idea to use pixel detectors in mass spectrometry by using technical developments designed for the International Linear Collider. Development of detectors and electronics for this application.
Collaborator Contribution Provision of staff to develop the project and produce applicvations for funding
Impact PNPAS KE Project begun in July 2009. The imaging mass spectrometer idea which arose from this collaboration was initially patented by ISIS Innovation Ltd. on behalf of the researchers in 2006, and, later in 2008, as international patent PCT/GB2008/004085.
Start Year 2006
 
Description princeton 
Organisation Princeton University
Department Department of Physics
Country United States 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution Investigation of matters of common interest in areas of accelerator physics.
Collaborator Contribution Sharing of expertise and seminars on common problems in high-power targets for accelerators.
Impact Several publications and joint studies.
Start Year 2007
 
Title Amulet 
Description Use of frequency scanning interferometry in metrology and control of computer-controlled machines. 
IP Reference  
Protection Patent granted
Year Protection Granted 2010
Licensed No
Impact None as yet
 
Title Mass spectrometry 
Description Application of pixel devises to improve the accuracy of mass spectrometry. 
IP Reference  
Protection Patent granted
Year Protection Granted 2008
Licensed No
Impact None as yet
 
Title Nereus & JPC 
Description Using spare comouter cycles via an software executed through web browsers, thereby significantly reducing security issues. 
IP Reference  
Protection Copyrighted (e.g. software)
Year Protection Granted 2007
Licensed Yes
Impact Orders from commercial companies are beginning to build up and spin-off company has been founded.
 
Description Accelerate! 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution
Part Of Official Scheme? Yes
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Schools
Results and Impact The "Accelerate!" outreach project began in September 2008, with the first shows for school groups in December 2008. It is a 45-minute high-energy interactive science show. "Accelerate!" is based on research that covers many areas of current interest in the Particle Physics sub-department and the John Adams Institute for Accelerator Science. Notably, these include research on the ATLAS experiment at the Large Hadron Collider, GRID computing and the applications of novel particle accelerators to many areas of science. Since 2012, a German version of the talk has been given to many schools and science festivals in Germany.

To date around 5,000 students have attended performances. Further impact has been achieved through coverage in newspapers and radio and through follow-on involvement in other events. Follow-on events include those which "Accelerate!" team members have been involved in as a direct result of their involvement in the project. An example of this is the selection of Suzie Sheehy for the panel of a Times Higher Education Debate "Blue Skies Ahead? The prospects for UK science" alongside the UK minister.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2008,2009,2010,2011,2012,2013,2014
URL http://rennmaschinen.desy.de/e108182/
 
Description Einstein's Universe 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? Yes
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact Einstein's Universe is the companion lecture to "Superstrings", exploring the other main area of Einstein's scientific work, the theory of the behaviour of atoms and subatomic particles known as "quantum mechanics". The format of the lecture is similar to that of Superstrings, linking Einstein's favourite instrument, the violin, with many of the concepts of modern physics that he did so much to found. The performance begins with an introduction to Einstein's life and involvement with music and how his ideas have shaped our concepts of space, time and the evolution of the Universe. These slides are accompanied by music from J.S. Bach's Sonatas and Partitas for Solo Violin, some of Einstein's favourite music. The lecture is punctuated by other musical interludes of music related to Einstein. The lecture outlines Einstein's Theory of Relativity and how the technological development of Switzerland may have influenced Einstein's work. Einstein was also a founding father of quantum physics and Brian discusses the discovery of radioactivity and how that led, through the development of particle accelerators, to the foundation of quantum mechanics. The lecture examines how this process led to the development of the atomic bomb and Einstein's part in it. At his death, he was disillusioned with quantum mechanics, but further applications and experiments led to its becoming the basis of our modern understanding of the Universe. Brian oulines some of our modern ideas that build on the structures of Einstein and define the so-called "Standard Model" of particle physics, in which the evolution of the Universe after the Big Bang can be understood by the interplay of a small number of fundamental forces on a few point-like "elementary" particles, the quarks and leptons, and their antimatter equivalents. At several points in the performance Jack joins Brian in demonstrations and uses his J.B. Guadagnini violin, the "ex-Wilhelmj", to illustrate by analogy some of the ideas discussed by Brian in the lecture . In the second half of the lecture, Brian discusses the new generation of "atom smashers", the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) due to start operation at CERN in Geneva in 2008. This machine, 28 km in circumference, is the largest experiment ever built and is a technological marvel. The story of its construction and of the experiments that observe the particles colliding within it is a testimony to human ingenuity. Almost all the technology and the physics anaysis are based directly on Einstein's work. Brian gives the latest news from the accelerator, "hot off the press" amd discusses what it might be seeing and what sorts of new physics it could find. The lecture ends with a duet for two violins by Mozart in which lecturer and soloist join forces, paying tribute to Einstein's lifelong love of chamber music.

So far has reached an audience exceeding 15,000 since 2007. It has spawned BBC Radio programmes on Radios 3 and 4, many articles in press both regional and national and all around the world, as well as movies etc on web sites, Youtube and other outlets. Many children and parents have written to say that they were inspired by the lecture. Others have said that they have decided to study physics at university because of it.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2006,2007,2008,2009,2010,2011,2012,2013,2014
URL http://www.einsteinsuniverse.com/
 
Description Media interviews and articles 
Form Of Engagement Activity A magazine, newsletter or online publication
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact Members of staff supported on this grant give interviews regularly to radio, newspapers and magazine. There are too many examples to list separately, but include BBC Radios 3 and 4, Irish Radio, Radio New Zealand, Research Fortnight, Nature, New Scientist, etc.

General impact of public and opinion formers.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2006,2007,2008,2009,2010,2011,2012,2013,2014
 
Description Parliament 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? Yes
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Policymakers/politicians
Results and Impact Preparation of poster and other information on work of John Adams Institute in Accelerator Science R&D.

Interactions with Science Minister Lord Drayson and many other members of House of Commons and House of Lords.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2006,2009
 
Description Particle Physics Masterclass 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution
Part Of Official Scheme? Yes
Geographic Reach Regional
Primary Audience Schools
Results and Impact Teachers bring groups of pupils to a concentrated 1-day event in which they hear the latest news from particle physics, get involved with hands-on activities and interact with academic staff.

Interacts with students and teachers - the classes are always full, we run 2 separate days and each year we reach more than 100 pupils and teachers.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2006,2007,2008,2009,2010,2011,2012,2013
 
Description Royal Society Summer Science Exhibition 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? Yes
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact Preparation of a stand and exhibits for the RS Summer Exhibition on the work of the John Adams Institute in Accelerator Science.

Ineractions with leading scientists, journalists and members of the general public. Favourable press coverage.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2009
 
Description Schools 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Schools
Results and Impact Visits by researchers to schools to give talks about LHC, neutrinos and other areas of particle physics

Around 100 schools visited by various members of staff since 2006.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2006,2007,2008,2009,2010,2011,2012,2013,2014
 
Description Teachers Open Day in Accelerators and Particle Physics 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Regional
Primary Audience Schools
Results and Impact Teachers spent the day in Oxford having a refresher course on the latest research results in accelerator science and particle physics.

Interaction with many physics teachers in schools.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2010