Particle Physics Theory at Royal Holloway and Sussex

The proposed research unites the particle theory groups at Sussex and Royal Holloway in the hunt for new physics under three broad headings: Collider and low-energy phenomenology The Large Hadron Collider boosts protons to velocities so close to that of light that their effective mass grows by a factor of 7000. By smashing these particles together there are new discoveries to be made, and new theories of physics to test. We will work on the complex task of relating the debris of these collisions to the new models put forward by theorists to explain some of the most puzzling questions of the universe - what is the origin of mass? and is there a quantum theory of gravity? Particle astrophysics and cosmology Perhaps the most active area of research in the past decade has been at the interface between particle physics and cosmology. In order to understand the history of the universe we must understand physical laws in the first moments of the Big Bang, when temperatures and particle energies were huge. Conversely, by detailed observations of the universe today we can trace back the conditions and make deductions about physical laws at high energies. Our research will tackle four big questions about the universe: why is there more matter than antimatter? what is dark matter? is there any evidence out there for strings or string theory? and how does the expansion of the universe accelerate? Theories of fundamental forces One of the major problems in modern theoretical physics is the extrapolation of physical laws to new length or energy scales. We wish to push our understanding to ever more extreme situations such the collisions of particles in the Large Hadron Collider, or the very early universe. Our research will develop our theoretical tools and extrapolate the physics of elementary particles and gravity to new regimes of energy, in the quest to understand particles and forces in a unified framework.

The impact of the research of the Theoretical Particle Physics group is entirely through outreach, within the University though courses given to Arts and Humanities students, and outside to schoolchildren and the wider public. Our outreach activities have been dramatically boosted by the appointment of a dedicated half-time Outreach Officer for the Department of Physics and Astronomy, Darren Baskill, funded by the SEPnet regional physics initiative. He works under the direction of Dr Mike Hardiman, an experienced faculty member spending 15% of his time on his role as Outreach Director. Other members of the department devoted to outreach include science writer John Gribbin and Jonathan Hare, visiting lecturer in Science Communication and member of the BBC TV's Rough Science team. During 2009/10 3000 people have already engaged in departmental outreach activities, at over 100 events. Over 1600 school children from 50 schools have experienced our outreach first hand. Connection with the secondary school population is the current priority and events specifically directed at school students include the following: * Our weekly schools lab workshops (suitable for GCSE, A-level and AS-level students) run every Friday throughout the school year. Research talks are organised by applicant Stephan Huber, and often include members of the Theoretical Particle Physics group. * We host the SEPnet GCSE revision event roadshow 3-4 times a year, where 60--150 school children visit the University to perform a host of physics and astronomy experiments for the day. * We organised a Particle Physics Masterclass for the first time at Sussex in 2010. * Twice a month we host star parties for local schools on the roof of the physics and astronomy building, with our new 12" Meade LX200 proving the focal point. * Our monthly public talks, co-organised by the Institute of Physics, have attendances of 50--150, many of which are local six-form students. * Our resident school physics teacher, David Daniels of Hove Park School, also runs activities for the Gifted and Talented students, students who are considering studying a science degree in the future. * Members of the group advertise talks for Schools on the departmental Outreach website. Most recently, investigator Mark Hindmarsh visited BHASVIC, the largest 6th form college in the area, to give a well-attended talk entitled "How long is a piece of cosmic string" * John Gribbin and Darren Baskill jointly teach a course "Our Place in the Universe(s)" to Arts and Humanities students at Sussex. * Investigator Litim convenes another Arts and Humanities course "From Quarks to the Cosmos", consisting of lectures and seminars given by members of the Department of Physics & Astronomy from all research groups. This year students will hear from investigators Huber (matter-antimatter symmetry) and Calmet (black holes).