Imperial College High Energy Physics Consolidated Grant (The study of elementary particles and their interactions): Capital Equipment
Lead Research Organisation:
Imperial College London
Department Name: Physics
Abstract
This proposal supports the redevelopment and enhancement of key research infrastructure in advanced radiation detectors for particle physics, specifically in the areas of direct dark matter searches and neutrino detection.
The High Energy Physics group at Imperial College London has developed novel technologies in this area over the years, and this pioneering work has pushed forward scientific advancements. For example, the liquid xenon detectors that lead the search for dark matter were in part developed here, and new scintillator detectors developed by our researchers have been applied to innovative experiments to detect nuclear reactor neutrinos. These innovations also help place UK researchers at the core of large international collaborations, where their technical expertise is a recognisable asset.
The research infrastructure needed to conduct this R&D is in need of urgent investment as it is now decades old; this will allow UK institutes to continue to make leading contributions to the next generation of particle physics experiments in these areas. This bid will support the complete refurbishment of our Liquid Xenon Research Laboratory, which is needed urgently - both in terms of basic laboratory infrastructure, which will be funded by the College, and the specialist equipment needed to re-establish the liquid xenon facility, which is supported by STFC. In addition, we also seek to improve our capability to characterise novel scintillator materials with the acquisition of a spectrometer for our Scintillator Development laboratory, as this type of instrument is not available to us at the moment.
The High Energy Physics group at Imperial College London has developed novel technologies in this area over the years, and this pioneering work has pushed forward scientific advancements. For example, the liquid xenon detectors that lead the search for dark matter were in part developed here, and new scintillator detectors developed by our researchers have been applied to innovative experiments to detect nuclear reactor neutrinos. These innovations also help place UK researchers at the core of large international collaborations, where their technical expertise is a recognisable asset.
The research infrastructure needed to conduct this R&D is in need of urgent investment as it is now decades old; this will allow UK institutes to continue to make leading contributions to the next generation of particle physics experiments in these areas. This bid will support the complete refurbishment of our Liquid Xenon Research Laboratory, which is needed urgently - both in terms of basic laboratory infrastructure, which will be funded by the College, and the specialist equipment needed to re-establish the liquid xenon facility, which is supported by STFC. In addition, we also seek to improve our capability to characterise novel scintillator materials with the acquisition of a spectrometer for our Scintillator Development laboratory, as this type of instrument is not available to us at the moment.
Planned Impact
See previous Imperial College Consolidated Grant submission.
Organisations
People |
ORCID iD |
| Paul Dauncey (Principal Investigator) |