Capital Equipment: Computing Cluster Upgrade and Neutrino Detector Laboratory Upgrade
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Warwick
Department Name: Physics
Abstract
The scope of the proposed research lies in five distinct areas: Higgs studies and new phenomena searches at ATLAS; the physics of particles containing the beauty quark at LHCb; the physics of neutrinos with T2K, SuperNEMO and LBNE; accelerator research and development for new high intensity proton, muon and neutrino beams; detector R&D. It also includes Outreach and Knowledge Exchange programmes. In more detail:
o The ATLAS experiment at CERN is a general purpose detector operating at the LHC. Our participation in the experiment is growing with the recent appointment of a new professor in the area, as well as two new postdoctoral fellows. Our proposed effort will be to support the experiment by contributing to its ability to identify interesting events rapidly for recording and further analysis. We will also continue our detailed studies of the properties of the recently discovered Higgs boson, thought to be the particle which couples to all matter, giving it mass. We will do this by helping to optimise the search for its decays to pairs of tau leptons, heavy relatives of the electron.
o We aim to further our research into matter/anti-matter asymmetry (CP Violation) in the decays of Beauty mesons at the LHCb experiment. This is important, because we have shown in past experiments that the leading source of CP violation at the weak scale is consistent with the Standard Model mechanism of CP violation. However, cosmological considerations indicate that there should be other sources of CP violation in Nature, so we aim to make further sensitive tests with beauty mesons, in order to see if any evidence for additional sources of CP violation or other new physics in Nature may appear in such decays.
o The elucidation of the properties of neutrinos. These are very light, neutral particles which are emitted, for example, by the sun, and in radioactive beta decay. These mysterious particles are known to oscillate, ie. transmute from one type to another, while they propagate. We built part of the T2K experiment which studies these phenomena in Japan. Analyses of data taken at the experiment gave early hints of the previously unobserved oscillations of muon to electron type neutrinos, and more recent observations have confirmed this. We aim to continue running this experiment, to study these effects in greater detail. The largeness of the effect offers the chance to go on to look for asymmetries between the oscillations of neutrinos and anti-neutrinos. We further plan to contribute to the SuperNEMO experiment, which aims to determine the nature of the neutrino as so called Dirac or Majorana particle. The former has distinct anti-particles, while the latter is its own antiparticle. This question may be resolved by searching for double beta decay accompanied by no neutrinos. We will contribute to the analysis of data obtained by a "demonstrator module" attempting to observe such decays.
o We propose to continue our research and development of high power accelerators for the generation of proton, muon and neutrino beams. We have in mind future neutrino factories, although other machines could benefit from our research. Such neutrino factories, if built, would continue to develop the theme of research into neutrino oscillations and matter-antimatter asymmetry of neutrinos outlined above. Such machines could also bring many benefits to medicine and industry.
o We propose to continue our research and development of position- and energy-sensitive detectors for applications in neutrino experiments and with potential spin-off applications in industry. A particular focus of this effort is the LBNE neutrino oscillation experiment.
o We will continue to develop our outreach programme which includes activities for local schools and articles in popular science publications.
o Supported by a strong University strategy and ethos in KE, we will continue to pursue all avenues for possible knowledge exchange.
o The ATLAS experiment at CERN is a general purpose detector operating at the LHC. Our participation in the experiment is growing with the recent appointment of a new professor in the area, as well as two new postdoctoral fellows. Our proposed effort will be to support the experiment by contributing to its ability to identify interesting events rapidly for recording and further analysis. We will also continue our detailed studies of the properties of the recently discovered Higgs boson, thought to be the particle which couples to all matter, giving it mass. We will do this by helping to optimise the search for its decays to pairs of tau leptons, heavy relatives of the electron.
o We aim to further our research into matter/anti-matter asymmetry (CP Violation) in the decays of Beauty mesons at the LHCb experiment. This is important, because we have shown in past experiments that the leading source of CP violation at the weak scale is consistent with the Standard Model mechanism of CP violation. However, cosmological considerations indicate that there should be other sources of CP violation in Nature, so we aim to make further sensitive tests with beauty mesons, in order to see if any evidence for additional sources of CP violation or other new physics in Nature may appear in such decays.
o The elucidation of the properties of neutrinos. These are very light, neutral particles which are emitted, for example, by the sun, and in radioactive beta decay. These mysterious particles are known to oscillate, ie. transmute from one type to another, while they propagate. We built part of the T2K experiment which studies these phenomena in Japan. Analyses of data taken at the experiment gave early hints of the previously unobserved oscillations of muon to electron type neutrinos, and more recent observations have confirmed this. We aim to continue running this experiment, to study these effects in greater detail. The largeness of the effect offers the chance to go on to look for asymmetries between the oscillations of neutrinos and anti-neutrinos. We further plan to contribute to the SuperNEMO experiment, which aims to determine the nature of the neutrino as so called Dirac or Majorana particle. The former has distinct anti-particles, while the latter is its own antiparticle. This question may be resolved by searching for double beta decay accompanied by no neutrinos. We will contribute to the analysis of data obtained by a "demonstrator module" attempting to observe such decays.
o We propose to continue our research and development of high power accelerators for the generation of proton, muon and neutrino beams. We have in mind future neutrino factories, although other machines could benefit from our research. Such neutrino factories, if built, would continue to develop the theme of research into neutrino oscillations and matter-antimatter asymmetry of neutrinos outlined above. Such machines could also bring many benefits to medicine and industry.
o We propose to continue our research and development of position- and energy-sensitive detectors for applications in neutrino experiments and with potential spin-off applications in industry. A particular focus of this effort is the LBNE neutrino oscillation experiment.
o We will continue to develop our outreach programme which includes activities for local schools and articles in popular science publications.
o Supported by a strong University strategy and ethos in KE, we will continue to pursue all avenues for possible knowledge exchange.
Planned Impact
Beneficiaries of the proposed research will include:
o UK industry and academic partners from outside particle physics may benefit from the possibility of technological spin-off from hardware and/or software which we will develop as part of the research programme, especially in respect of the neutrino detector development laboratory. As a by-product of our research on future neutrino detectors, we plan to continue our spin-off R&D in the area of photo-voltaic technology. Another commercial opportunity more directly aimed at UK industry might soon be realised for another development from the detector R&D group, enabling very cost-effective large area or volume radiation sensors. These initiatives will all be supervised by Warwick Ventures - the university's professional subsidiary for commercial advancement and support. Furthermore, our planned work in developing innovative reconstruction methods for large-scale neutrino detectors has potential beneficiaries in a range of subjects, including computer science, biological and medical science. Local contacts with the Warwick Computer Science Department exist as well as a collaboration with the Statistics Department in Durham.
o Local school children and the general public through our outreach programme will learn about cutting-edge research carried out on the building blocks of matter and their fundamental interactions, using state-of the art instrumentation. One of the most effective means of engagement in terms of audience size comes through media coverage. For results of our planned research which we feel the public could particularly engage with, we will work with the University's Communications Office to issue press releases. This has in the past been successful in generating some rather high profile news coverage e.g. BBC Midlands Today coverage, BBC website items, local radio exposure, as well as university video content organised by the Communications Office. Members of our group will continue to regularly publicise our science through such activities and via engagements such as public lectures and talks to local clubs and societies. We will also continue to foster and develop close ties with local schools through: our annual Masterclass initiative, hosting local students as part of the Aimhigher initiative, supervising students for summer holiday placements (e.g. as part of the Gold Crest scheme).
o We will continue to develop schools liaison, with more emphasis on interactions with teachers, and supported by our Ogden Teaching Fellow in the Warwick Physics Department. Last year, we were part of a successful bid to STFC for a Science in Society Small Award to purchase a mobile dome, which is being be used as a resource to publicise our research. We will work to develop particle physics content for the dome for use on public occasions such as university open days, but also to expand our outreach activities e.g. into primary schools. Additionally, the requested scintillator paddles will be used (when they can be spared from the detector development lab) to upgrade the MULE (Muon Lifetime Experiment) display which we use at Departmental open days. Always a favourite with school students and parents alike, this real-time demonstration of muon lifetime measurements on cosmic rays in situ in the Physics Department will continue to amaze our visitors for the foreseeable future.
o Our post-graduate students currently enjoy access to a diverse range of key-skills training courses given within the University. We propose to further exploit the existing opportunities for joint studentships with industrial partners, where the results of research would find an immediate commercial application and would provide students with first-hand industrial/commercial experience. This will benefit industry, giving them access to well-trained people who can help them with tasks such as data mining and modelling, which are of increasing importance.
o UK industry and academic partners from outside particle physics may benefit from the possibility of technological spin-off from hardware and/or software which we will develop as part of the research programme, especially in respect of the neutrino detector development laboratory. As a by-product of our research on future neutrino detectors, we plan to continue our spin-off R&D in the area of photo-voltaic technology. Another commercial opportunity more directly aimed at UK industry might soon be realised for another development from the detector R&D group, enabling very cost-effective large area or volume radiation sensors. These initiatives will all be supervised by Warwick Ventures - the university's professional subsidiary for commercial advancement and support. Furthermore, our planned work in developing innovative reconstruction methods for large-scale neutrino detectors has potential beneficiaries in a range of subjects, including computer science, biological and medical science. Local contacts with the Warwick Computer Science Department exist as well as a collaboration with the Statistics Department in Durham.
o Local school children and the general public through our outreach programme will learn about cutting-edge research carried out on the building blocks of matter and their fundamental interactions, using state-of the art instrumentation. One of the most effective means of engagement in terms of audience size comes through media coverage. For results of our planned research which we feel the public could particularly engage with, we will work with the University's Communications Office to issue press releases. This has in the past been successful in generating some rather high profile news coverage e.g. BBC Midlands Today coverage, BBC website items, local radio exposure, as well as university video content organised by the Communications Office. Members of our group will continue to regularly publicise our science through such activities and via engagements such as public lectures and talks to local clubs and societies. We will also continue to foster and develop close ties with local schools through: our annual Masterclass initiative, hosting local students as part of the Aimhigher initiative, supervising students for summer holiday placements (e.g. as part of the Gold Crest scheme).
o We will continue to develop schools liaison, with more emphasis on interactions with teachers, and supported by our Ogden Teaching Fellow in the Warwick Physics Department. Last year, we were part of a successful bid to STFC for a Science in Society Small Award to purchase a mobile dome, which is being be used as a resource to publicise our research. We will work to develop particle physics content for the dome for use on public occasions such as university open days, but also to expand our outreach activities e.g. into primary schools. Additionally, the requested scintillator paddles will be used (when they can be spared from the detector development lab) to upgrade the MULE (Muon Lifetime Experiment) display which we use at Departmental open days. Always a favourite with school students and parents alike, this real-time demonstration of muon lifetime measurements on cosmic rays in situ in the Physics Department will continue to amaze our visitors for the foreseeable future.
o Our post-graduate students currently enjoy access to a diverse range of key-skills training courses given within the University. We propose to further exploit the existing opportunities for joint studentships with industrial partners, where the results of research would find an immediate commercial application and would provide students with first-hand industrial/commercial experience. This will benefit industry, giving them access to well-trained people who can help them with tasks such as data mining and modelling, which are of increasing importance.
Organisations
Publications
ATLAS Collaboration
(2014)
A measurement of the ratio of the production cross sections for [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] bosons in association with jets with the ATLAS detector.
in The European physical journal. C, Particles and fields
Collaboration T
(2014)
A neural network clustering algorithm for the ATLAS silicon pixel detector
in Journal of Instrumentation
Aad G
(2013)
A search for high-mass resonances decaying to t + t - in pp collisions at s = 7 TeV with the ATLAS detector
in Physics Letters B
Aad G
(2013)
A search for prompt lepton-jets in pp collisions at s = 7 TeV with the ATLAS detector
in Physics Letters B
Aad G
(2016)
A search for prompt lepton-jets in pp collisions at s = 8 $$ \sqrt{\mathrm{s}}=8 $$ TeV with the ATLAS detector
in Journal of High Energy Physics
Aad G
(2015)
A search for t t ¯ $$ t\overline{t} $$ resonances using lepton-plus-jets events in proton-proton collisions at s = 8 $$ \sqrt{s}=8 $$ TeV with the ATLAS detector
in Journal of High Energy Physics
Aaij R
(2014)
Addendum: Observation of double charm production involving open charm in pp collisions at $ \sqrt{s} $ = 7 TeV
in Journal of High Energy Physics
Aaij R
(2013)
Amplitude analysis and branching fraction measurement of B ¯ s 0 ? J / ? K + K -
in Physical Review D
Aaij R
(2015)
Amplitude analysis of B 0 ? D ¯ 0 K + p - decays
in Physical Review D
Aad G
(2015)
Analysis of events with b-jets and a pair of leptons of the same charge in pp collisions at s = 8 $$ \sqrt{s}=8 $$ TeV with the ATLAS detector
in Journal of High Energy Physics
Aaij R
(2013)
Analysis of the resonant components in B ¯ 0 ? J / ? p + p -
in Physical Review D
Aaij R
(2015)
Angular analysis and differential branching fraction of the decay B s 0 ? ?µ + µ -
in Journal of High Energy Physics
Aaij R
(2014)
Angular analysis of charged and neutral B ? Kµ + µ - decays
in Journal of High Energy Physics
Aaij R
(2016)
Angular analysis of the B 0 ? K *0 µ + µ - decay using 3 fb-1 of integrated luminosity
in Journal of High Energy Physics
Aaij R
(2015)
Angular analysis of the B0 ? K*0e+e- decay in the low-q2 region
in Journal of High Energy Physics
Lees J
(2014)
Antideuteron production in ? ( n S ) decays and in e + e - ? q q ¯ at s ˜ 10.58 GeV
in Physical Review D
Aad G
(2015)
ATLAS Run 1 searches for direct pair production of third-generation squarks at the Large Hadron Collider.
in The European physical journal. C, Particles and fields
Collaboration T
(2015)
B flavour tagging using charm decays at the LHCb experiment
in Journal of Instrumentation
Lees J
(2014)
Bottomonium spectroscopy and radiative transitions involving the ? b J ( 1 P , 2 P ) states at BaBar
in Physical Review D
Aaij R
(2013)
Branching fraction and CP asymmetry of the decays B + ? K S 0 p + and B + ? K S 0 K +
in Physics Letters B
Adams D
(2013)
Characterisation of the muon beams for the Muon Ionisation Cooling Experiment
in The European Physical Journal C
Lees J
(2015)
Collins asymmetries in inclusive charged K K and K p pairs produced in e + e - annihilation
in Physical Review D
Aad G
(2016)
Combination of searches for WW, WZ, and ZZ resonances in pp collisions at s = 8 TeV with the ATLAS detector
in Physics Letters B
Aad G
(2015)
Combined Measurement of the Higgs Boson Mass in pp Collisions at sqrt[s]=7 and 8 TeV with the ATLAS and CMS Experiments.
in Physical review letters
Aad G
(2014)
Comprehensive measurements of t -channel single top-quark production cross sections at s = 7 TeV with the ATLAS detector
in Physical Review D
Aaltonen T
(2015)
Constraints on models of the Higgs boson with exotic spin and parity using decays to bottom-antibottom quarks in the full CDF data set.
in Physical review letters
Aad G
(2015)
Constraints on new phenomena via Higgs boson couplings and invisible decays with the ATLAS detector
in Journal of High Energy Physics
ATLAS Collaboration
(2015)
Constraints on the off-shell Higgs boson signal strength in the high-mass ZZ and WW final states with the ATLAS detector.
in The European physical journal. C, Particles and fields
Lees J
(2014)
Dalitz plot analysis of ? c ? K + K - ? and ? c ? K + K - p 0 in two-photon interactions
in Physical Review D
Aaij R
(2015)
Dalitz plot analysis of B 0 ? D ¯ 0 p + p - decays
in Physical Review D
Aaij R
(2014)
Dalitz plot analysis of B s 0 ? D ¯ 0 K - p + decays
in Physical Review D
Martyniak J
(2017)
Data management and database framework for the MICE experiment
in Journal of Physics: Conference Series
Aad G
(2015)
Determination of spin and parity of the Higgs boson in the $$WW^*\rightarrow e \nu \mu \nu $$ W W * ? e ? µ ? decay channel with the ATLAS detector
in The European Physical Journal C
Aad G
(2015)
Determination of the Ratio of b-Quark Fragmentation Fractions f(s)/f(d) in pp Collisions at vs=7 TeV with the ATLAS Detector.
in Physical review letters
Aad G
(2015)
Determination of the top-quark pole mass using t t ¯ $$ t\overline{t} $$ + 1-jet events collected with the ATLAS experiment in 7 TeV pp collisions
in Journal of High Energy Physics
Aaij R
(2013)
Determination of the X(3872) meson quantum numbers.
in Physical review letters
Lawrie SR
(2014)
Development of the front end test stand and vessel for extraction and source plasma analyses negative hydrogen ion sources at the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory.
in The Review of scientific instruments
Aaij R
(2014)
Differential branching fractions and isospin asymmetries of B ? K (*) µ + µ - decays
in Journal of High Energy Physics
Aad G
(2016)
Dijet production in s = 7 TeV pp collisions with large rapidity gaps at the ATLAS experiment
in Physics Letters B
Aad G
(2013)
Dynamics of isolated-photon plus jet production in pp collisions at s = 7 TeV with the ATLAS detector
in Nuclear Physics B
Aaij R
(2014)
Effective lifetime measurements in the B s 0 ? K + K - , B 0 ? K + p - and B s 0 ? p + K - decays
in Physics Letters B
Aad G
(2014)
Electron and photon energy calibration with the ATLAS detector using LHC Run 1 data
in The European Physical Journal C
ATLAS Collaboration
(2014)
Electron reconstruction and identification efficiency measurements with the ATLAS detector using the 2011 LHC proton-proton collision data.
in The European physical journal. C, Particles and fields
Adams D
(2015)
Electron-muon ranger: performance in the MICE muon beam
in Journal of Instrumentation
Aad G
(2015)
Erratum to: Search for production of WW / WZ resonances decaying to a lepton, neutrino and jets in pp collisions at $$\sqrt{s}=8$$ s = 8 TeV with the ATLAS detector
in The European Physical Journal C
Title | Review of Particle Properties |
Description | This is a globally-accessible database of all particle physics results. Many results of this research have entered into this database and several members of my team have directly contributed to this database. |
Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
Year Produced | 2009 |
Provided To Others? | Yes |
Impact | This database is the research Bible for particle physics. It is universally used and accepted within the particle physics community and is without peer. |
URL | http://pdg.lbl.gov |
Title | LAURA++ Package |
Description | C++ Package for Dalitz plot generation and fitting |
Type Of Technology | Software |
Year Produced | 2013 |
Open Source License? | Yes |
Impact | Use in other particle physics experiments |
URL | https://laura.hepforge.org |