2012 Consolidated Grant Supplement
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Warwick
Department Name: Physics
Abstract
The scope of the proposed research lies in five distinct areas: the physics of particles containing
the beauty quark at LHCb; the physics of neutrinos with T2K and SuperNEMO; Higgs and new phenomena searches at ATLAS; 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 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. They have recently been found to
oscillate, ie. transmute from one type to another, while they propagate. We have built part
of the T2K experiment which is now operating in Japan. Analyses of early data give tantalising hints of the previously unobserved oscillations of muon to electron type neutrinos. We aim to continue running this experiment, hopefully to confirm these preliminary hints. If confirmed, the largeness of the effect will offer 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 have recently joined the ATLAS experiment at CERN, a general purpose detector operating at the LHC. Our initial work will be to support the experiment by contributing to its ability to identify interesting events rapidly for recording and further analysis. We will also contribute to the search for the Higgs boson, the last missing piece in the Standard Model of particle physics. 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 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.
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.
the beauty quark at LHCb; the physics of neutrinos with T2K and SuperNEMO; Higgs and new phenomena searches at ATLAS; 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 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. They have recently been found to
oscillate, ie. transmute from one type to another, while they propagate. We have built part
of the T2K experiment which is now operating in Japan. Analyses of early data give tantalising hints of the previously unobserved oscillations of muon to electron type neutrinos. We aim to continue running this experiment, hopefully to confirm these preliminary hints. If confirmed, the largeness of the effect will offer 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 have recently joined the ATLAS experiment at CERN, a general purpose detector operating at the LHC. Our initial work will be to support the experiment by contributing to its ability to identify interesting events rapidly for recording and further analysis. We will also contribute to the search for the Higgs boson, the last missing piece in the Standard Model of particle physics. 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 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.
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 propose to develop as part of the research programme. A derivative of our research on future neutrino detectors has been the issue of two IP licenses with the target being spin-off opportunities in the area of photo-voltaic technology. Another commercial opportunity more directly aimed at UK industry might soon be realised for another invention of 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 work in developing innovative reconstruction methods for large-scale neutrino detectors has potential beneficiaries from a range of subjects, including mathematics, computer science biological and medical science. Local contacts to the Warwick Computer Science Department exist as well as a collaboration with the Statistics Department in Durham. Another potentially interesting partner has been identified in Systems Biology at Warwick.
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 aspects of our research activity that we feel the public could particularly engage with, we work with the University's Communication 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,
BBC Coventry and Warwickshire 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 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), activities associated with the STEMNET Science and Engineering Ambassadors (e.g. contributions science fairs and exhibitions) and participation in the`I'm a scientist - get me out of here' events.
During the next grants period, we plan a tighter coordination of both the scope and frequency of press releases showcasing our work. Schools liaison will continue to develop with more emphasis placed on interaction with teachers - an area which has received a boost through the recent appointment of a dedicated Ogden Teaching Fellow for the Warwick Physics Department. This year, our group were part of a successful bid to STFC for a Science in Society Small Award to purchase a mobile dome which can 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.
o Our post-graduate students currently enjoy access to a diverse range of key-skills training courses laid on by the University. In the future we plan to further exploit opportunities that exist within the University, 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, gaining 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 propose to develop as part of the research programme. A derivative of our research on future neutrino detectors has been the issue of two IP licenses with the target being spin-off opportunities in the area of photo-voltaic technology. Another commercial opportunity more directly aimed at UK industry might soon be realised for another invention of 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 work in developing innovative reconstruction methods for large-scale neutrino detectors has potential beneficiaries from a range of subjects, including mathematics, computer science biological and medical science. Local contacts to the Warwick Computer Science Department exist as well as a collaboration with the Statistics Department in Durham. Another potentially interesting partner has been identified in Systems Biology at Warwick.
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 aspects of our research activity that we feel the public could particularly engage with, we work with the University's Communication 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,
BBC Coventry and Warwickshire 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 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), activities associated with the STEMNET Science and Engineering Ambassadors (e.g. contributions science fairs and exhibitions) and participation in the`I'm a scientist - get me out of here' events.
During the next grants period, we plan a tighter coordination of both the scope and frequency of press releases showcasing our work. Schools liaison will continue to develop with more emphasis placed on interaction with teachers - an area which has received a boost through the recent appointment of a dedicated Ogden Teaching Fellow for the Warwick Physics Department. This year, our group were part of a successful bid to STFC for a Science in Society Small Award to purchase a mobile dome which can 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.
o Our post-graduate students currently enjoy access to a diverse range of key-skills training courses laid on by the University. In the future we plan to further exploit opportunities that exist within the University, 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, gaining access to well-trained people who can help them with tasks such as data mining and modelling, which are of increasing importance.
Organisations
People |
ORCID iD |
Paul Harrison (Principal Investigator) |
Publications
Aad G
(2013)
Measurements of Higgs boson production and couplings in diboson final states with the ATLAS detector at the LHC
in Physics Letters B
ATLAS Collaboration
(2014)
Measurements of jet vetoes and azimuthal decorrelations in dijet events produced in [Formula: see text] collisions at [Formula: see text] using the ATLAS detector.
in The European physical journal. C, Particles and fields
Bayes R
(2017)
Measurements of muon multiple scattering in MICE
in Journal of Physics: Conference Series
Abe K
(2015)
Measurements of neutrino oscillation in appearance and disappearance channels by the T2K experiment with 6.6 × 1 0 20 protons on target
in Physical Review D
Aad G
(2014)
Measurements of normalized differential cross sections for t t ¯ production in p p collisions at ( s ) = 7 TeV using the ATLAS detector
in Physical Review D
Aad G
(2014)
Measurements of spin correlation in top-antitop quark events from proton-proton collisions at s = 7 TeV using the ATLAS detector
in Physical Review D
Aaij R
(2013)
Measurements of the ? b 0 ? J / ? ? decay amplitudes and the ? b 0 polarisation in pp collisions at s = 7 TeV
in Physics Letters B
LHCb Collaboration
(2013)
Measurements of the branching fractions of [Formula: see text] decays.
in The European physical journal. C, Particles and fields
Aad G
(2016)
Measurements of the Higgs boson production and decay rates and coupling strengths using pp collision data at [Formula: see text] and 8 TeV in the ATLAS experiment.
in The European physical journal. C, Particles and fields
Aad G
(2015)
Measurements of the top quark branching ratios into channels with leptons and quarks with the ATLAS detector
in Physical Review D
Aad G
(2013)
Measurements of top quark pair relative differential cross-sections with ATLAS in pp collisions at $\sqrt{s} = 7\ \mbox{TeV}$
in The European Physical Journal C
Aad G
(2013)
Measurements of W ? and Z ? production in p p collisions at s = 7 TeV with the ATLAS detector at the LHC
in Physical Review D
Aaij R
(2015)
Model-independent confirmation of the Z ( 4430 ) - state
in Physical Review D
Aaij R
(2013)
Model-independent search for CP violation in D 0 ? K - K + p - p + and D 0 ? p - p + p + p - decays
in Physics Letters B
Collaboration T
(2015)
Modelling Z ? tt processes in ATLAS with t-embedded Z ? µµ data
in Journal of Instrumentation
Collaboration T
(2014)
Monitoring and data quality assessment of the ATLAS liquid argon calorimeter
in Journal of Instrumentation
ATLAS Collaboration
(2013)
Multi-channel search for squarks and gluinos in [Formula: see text]pp collisions with the ATLAS detector at the LHC.
in The European physical journal. C, Particles and fields
Bogomilov M
(2022)
Multiple Coulomb scattering of muons in lithium hydride
in Physical Review D
ATLAS Collaboration
(2014)
Muon reconstruction efficiency and momentum resolution of the ATLAS experiment in proton-proton collisions at [Formula: see text] TeV in 2010.
in The European physical journal. C, Particles and fields
Bogomilov M
(2014)
Neutrino factory
in Physical Review Special Topics - Accelerators and Beams
Aaij R
(2013)
Observation of $B^{0}_{s}$ - $\overline{B}{}^{0}_{s}$ mixing and measurement of mixing frequencies using semileptonic B decays
in The European Physical Journal C
Aad G
(2012)
Observation of a new particle in the search for the Standard Model Higgs boson with the ATLAS detector at the LHC
in Physics Letters B
Aaij R
(2013)
Observation of a resonance in B+ ? K+ µ+ µ- decays at low recoil.
in Physical review letters
Aad G
(2014)
Observation of an excited Bc(±) meson state with the ATLAS detector.
in Physical review letters
Aad G
(2013)
Observation of associated near-side and away-side long-range correlations in sqrt[s(NN)]=5.02 TeV proton-lead collisions with the ATLAS detector.
in Physical review letters
Aaij R
(2013)
Observation of B c + ? J / ? D s + and B c + ? J / ? D s * + decays
in Physical Review D
Aaij R
(2013)
Observation of B s 0 ? ? c 1 ? decay and study of B 0 ? ? c 1 , 2 K ? 0 decays
in Nuclear Physics B
Lees JP
(2016)
Observation of B?D(*) p^(+)p^(-)l^(-)? Decays in e^(+)e^(-) Collisions at the ?(4S) Resonance.
in Physical review letters
Aaij R
(2013)
Observation of D0-D0 oscillations.
in Physical review letters
Abe K
(2014)
Observation of electron neutrino appearance in a muon neutrino beam.
in Physical review letters
Aaij R
(2015)
Observation of J/?p Resonances Consistent with Pentaquark States in ?_{b}^{0}?J/?K^{-}p Decays.
in Physical review letters
Aaij R
(2014)
Observation of overlapping spin-1 and spin-3 D0K- resonances at mass 2.86 GeV/c2.
in Physical review letters
Aaltonen T
(2014)
Observation of s-channel production of single top quarks at the Tevatron.
in Physical review letters
Aaij R
(2014)
Observation of the ? b 0 ? J/? pp - decay
in Journal of High Energy Physics
Aaij R
(2014)
Observation of the B s 0 ? J/?K S 0 K ± p ± decay
in Journal of High Energy Physics
Aaij R
(2015)
Observation of the B(s)(0)??'?' Decay.
in Physical review letters
Aaij R
(2015)
Observation of the B0??0?0 decay from an amplitude analysis of B0? (p+p-)(p+p-) decays
in Physics Letters B
Aaij R
(2015)
Observation of the decay B ? s 0 ? ? ( 2 S ) K + p -
in Physics Letters B
Aaij R
(2013)
Observation of the decay B c + ? ? ( 2 S ) p +
in Physical Review D
Aaij R
(2013)
Observation of the decay B s 0 ? D ¯ 0 ?
in Physics Letters B
Aaij R
(2013)
Observation of the decay B(c)(+) ? B(s)(0)p+.
in Physical review letters
Aaij R
(2014)
Observation of the resonant character of the Z(4430)(-) state.
in Physical review letters
Aaij R
(2013)
Observation of the suppressed ADS modes B ± ? [ p ± K ± p + p - ] D K ± and B ± ? [ p ± K ± p + p - ] D p ±
in Physics Letters B
Aaij R
(2014)
Observation of Z production in proton-lead collisions at LHCb
in Journal of High Energy Physics
Aaij R
(2013)
Observations of B s 0 ? ? ( 2 S ) ? and B ( s ) 0 ? ? ( 2 S ) p + p - decays
in Nuclear Physics B
Collaboration T
(2014)
Operation and performance of the ATLAS semiconductor tracker
in Journal of Instrumentation
Adams D
(2016)
Pion contamination in the MICE muon beam
in Journal of Instrumentation
Description | We have made many key measurements in B physics. we have made detailed studies of the Higgs boson, and excluded large areas of parameter space in beyond Standard Model physics. We have made measurements of neutrino oscillations. |
Exploitation Route | . |
Sectors | Education |
Description | We have designed photovoltaic trees as an application of GEANT 4. |
First Year Of Impact | 2014 |
Impact Types | Societal,Economic |
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 |
Description | Warwick 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 | 50-60 Warwickshire sixth form students and their teachers attended Very positive feedback both directly and from questionaire forms |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2006,2007,2008,2009,2010,2011,2012,2013,2014,2015,2016,2017,2018,2019 |