Capital Equipment for UCL Experimental Particle Physics (2013)

Lead Research Organisation: University College London
Department Name: Physics and Astronomy

Abstract

Experiments capable of addressing the most important questions in particle physics - for example, why there is an excess of matter over anti-matter in the universe - are very technically demanding. We need to constantly develop and invest in new detector technologies, and we need state of the art laboratory equipment in order to do this. The UCL group will be further developing its expertise in a number of detector technologies but especially super-fast detector readout techniques, cryogenic noble-gas and liquid detectors and devices capable of reaching extremely low levels of background radioactivity.

For many more details of UCL's High Energy Physics research program, please refer to our 2012 Consolidated Grant application.

Planned Impact

The requested equipment is for the development of new detectors, which can have a number of applications outside particle physics. In particular noble-gas and liquid detectors can be uniquely powerful radiation detectors with a number of interesting applications. The detector development expertise in the UCL group is being increasingly applied to the field of medical imaging, in collaboration with the medical physics group and UCL hospitals.

For many more details of UCL's High Energy Physics research program, please refer to our 2012 Consolidated Grant application.

Publications

10 25 50
 
Description This capital award was critical in the research program of the UCL HEP group. It enabled us to develop a liquid-argon test stand where we are developing new detection techniques for neutrino experiments. We have also further developed our expertise in high-bandwidth data-acquisition systems, and helped to establish a facility for making precise measurements of trace radioactive contamination in materials.
Exploitation Route The detector & DAQ system we are developing can have application in future particle physics projects.
Sectors Education

 
Description See entry for ST/K001426/1, for which this capital award formed an essential contribution.
First Year Of Impact 2013
Sector Education
Impact Types Cultural

Societal

 
Description Article in Cosmos magazine 
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 Featured in a Cosmos Magazine article about the search for Dark Matter.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2015
URL https://cosmosmagazine.com/physical-sciences/ghost-traps-hunt-dark-matter
 
Description BBC Today programme feature 
Form Of Engagement Activity A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact Radio feature discussing UK particle physics and involvement in 'Beyond Standard Model' experiments including Dark Matter searches.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2013
URL http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b03kpnjl
 
Description Event Horizon Cafe Scientifique 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Local
Primary Audience Undergraduate students
Results and Impact 30 people attended a Cafe Scientifique event organised by UCL undergraduate students where I talked about the search for Dark Matter in our Universe. Impact that has arisen since includes requests for more information on how to conduct further studies or apply for PhD and postgraduate positions in the field of Dark Matter and particle physics in general.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2015
URL https://www.facebook.com/events/197495787252785/
 
Description Forbes magazine article 
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 5000 views of this article discussing Dark Matter experiments with UK involvement, where I discuss the implications of new results. This article led to changes in opinion of the readers as documented by the comments on the website, and further enquiries.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2013
URL http://www.forbes.com/sites/bridaineparnell/2013/11/07/why-the-lux-results-matter-to-dark-matter-and...
 
Description IOP Physics World article 
Form Of Engagement Activity A magazine, newsletter or online publication
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact Article highlighting the selection of the next generation of experiments in the search for Dark Matter, including LZ.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2014
URL http://physicsworld.com/cws/article/news/2014/jul/15/dark-matter-searches-get-us-government-approval
 
Description IOP Physics World article 
Form Of Engagement Activity A magazine, newsletter or online publication
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact Article in Physics World magazine about underground science including Dark Matter searches. This article highlighted activities at the UK's Boulby Underground Laboratory.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2015
URL http://physicsworld.com/cws/article/indepth/2015/may/07/subterranean-science
 
Description Light and Dark TV series 
Form Of Engagement Activity A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press)
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact This was a major BBC production broadcast on TV in two-parts, hosted by Prof. Jim Al-Khalili. It featured a section on Dark Matter where I discussed underground experimental techniques.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2013
URL http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b03jrxhv
 
Description Naked Scientists Radio and Podcast feature 
Form Of Engagement Activity A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press)
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact Radio and Podcast feature by the Naked Scientists discussing Dark Matter searches. This feature led to several further media enquiries and questions from the general public.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2015
URL http://www.thenakedscientists.com/HTML/podcasts/naked-scientists/show/20150602/
 
Description New Scientist Public Event 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact 270 members of the general public attended a Particle Physics Experts Masterclass organised by New Scientist. I was one of the 5 experts, presenting Dark Matter including the LZ experiment, and I was a member of the panel for a Q&A session. There was significant interest during the ticketed event (£150 per person), and outcomes that have arisen since include contact from schools and students regarding Dark Matter for their school projects, and contact from the media.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2016
URL http://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/instant-expert-mysteries-of-particle-physics-tickets-19713709235?aff=n...
 
Description Public Lecture at Second Home 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Regional
Primary Audience Industry/Business
Results and Impact Approximately 70 people that work at or operate from Second Home, London, attended a talk about Dark Matter that focused on technologies. Second Home houses numerous technology firms and businesses and this talk led to several questions about potential socioeconomic impact of particle physics and Dark Matter experiments, and potential areas for collaborative research and spin-offs. It has also led to arrangement of a trip to Boulby Underground Laboratory in 2016, where I will host 10 artists from across the UK on an underground tour of the science facility.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2015
URL https://www.facebook.com/events/1498288067129210/
 
Description Radio 5 Live feature 
Form Of Engagement Activity A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press)
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact Dark Matter feature on Radio 5 live, highlighting UK research. This feature led to enquiries from the general public and other media outlets.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2015
URL http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b043wvt9
 
Description Radio feature on Newsdrive 
Form Of Engagement Activity A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact Interview on BBC Newsdrive discussing UK involvement in international Dark Matter search experiments.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2014
URL http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b03zdylq
 
Description School Visit (Newham Collegiate College, London) 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Local
Primary Audience Schools
Results and Impact Particle physics seminar focussing on searched for beyond the standard model physics, particularly for dark matter signatures. Approximately 40 students attended, and there was considerable interest afterwards with questions, discussion, and follow up emails to me.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2017