Particle Physics Consolidated Grant from the University of Sheffield: Energy Frontier, Neutrinos, Dark Matter
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Sheffield
Department Name: Physics and Astronomy
Abstract
"What is the Universe made of, and why?" Sheffield's HEP programme aims to address this fundamental question. There are two problems here: about 5/6 of the matter in the Universe seems to be an as yet undiscovered particle (dark matter), and the remaining 1/6 is all matter - not the 50:50 matter-antimatter mix we make in laboratories.
We search for the dark matter particle in two ways: at the energy frontier, by seeking to detect new particles created by the high-energy proton-proton collisions of the LHC at CERN, and in direct searches, attempting to observe these particles in the Galaxy itself. The theory of supersymmetry, which predicts a whole set of particles related to, but more massive than, the known particles of the Standard Model (SM), offers a candidate dark matter particle. If supersymmetric particles can be made at the LHC, they should be detected in ATLAS. Our programme searches specifically for new Higgs bosons and for particles related to the SM quarks and gluons. At ATLAS, we also study SM processes involving the force carriers of the weak interaction, probing our understanding of the SM. Looking to the future, we are contributing essential work to the upgrade of the ATLAS experiment required to take full advantage of higher event rates in future running of the LHC.
Most of the matter in our Galaxy is dark matter. In the LZ experiment, we search for evidence of dark matter colliding with Xe atoms in the experiment and causing them to recoil. This experiment will be the most sensitive dark matter detector ever constructed. Understanding possible background - non-dark-matter - events is critical to this, and we have world leading expertise in this field. In addition, we are leading the development of directional dark matter detectors, which will be vital in proving that any candidate signal really does come from the Galaxy and not the Earth. We are also the only UK group involved in the search for axions: another possible type of dark matter particle which cannot be detected at the LHC or in standard dark matter experiments.
Why is the matter in the Universe all matter, not antimatter? The answer to this question must lie in subtle differences between particles and antiparticles, an effect called CP violation. The CP violating effects so far observed are not nearly large enough to create the Universe we see. The most likely source for more CP violation is in the interactions of neutrinos. A key observation is that neutrinos have mass, and that different types of neutrinos can interchange their identities in flight. The T2K experiment has made measurements of this, and has detected tantalising hints of CP violation. We plan to build on this work, both in running experiments (T2K and SBND) and in designing the next generation of neutrino experiments which will have much greater sensitivity. We have developed tools to assist the neutrino community in comparing results and improving our understanding of how neutrinos interact. Our access to Boulby Mine provides an invaluable low-background laboratory for testing materials and detector prototypes.
Last but not least, we seek to apply HEP technology to industry and to solving global problems. We are using techniques developed for ATLAS to contribute to the development of robotics and to deal with highly radioactive environments such as Chernobyl. We are designing muon detectors to search for nuclear contraband and monitor volcanoes. Our signal processing techniques are being applied to improving medical imaging for heart patients. Our expertise in water Cherenkov neutrino detection is being exploited in an experiment designed to monitor compliance with nuclear non-proliferation treaties. All of this work builds on our STFC core programme to benefit the wider world.
We search for the dark matter particle in two ways: at the energy frontier, by seeking to detect new particles created by the high-energy proton-proton collisions of the LHC at CERN, and in direct searches, attempting to observe these particles in the Galaxy itself. The theory of supersymmetry, which predicts a whole set of particles related to, but more massive than, the known particles of the Standard Model (SM), offers a candidate dark matter particle. If supersymmetric particles can be made at the LHC, they should be detected in ATLAS. Our programme searches specifically for new Higgs bosons and for particles related to the SM quarks and gluons. At ATLAS, we also study SM processes involving the force carriers of the weak interaction, probing our understanding of the SM. Looking to the future, we are contributing essential work to the upgrade of the ATLAS experiment required to take full advantage of higher event rates in future running of the LHC.
Most of the matter in our Galaxy is dark matter. In the LZ experiment, we search for evidence of dark matter colliding with Xe atoms in the experiment and causing them to recoil. This experiment will be the most sensitive dark matter detector ever constructed. Understanding possible background - non-dark-matter - events is critical to this, and we have world leading expertise in this field. In addition, we are leading the development of directional dark matter detectors, which will be vital in proving that any candidate signal really does come from the Galaxy and not the Earth. We are also the only UK group involved in the search for axions: another possible type of dark matter particle which cannot be detected at the LHC or in standard dark matter experiments.
Why is the matter in the Universe all matter, not antimatter? The answer to this question must lie in subtle differences between particles and antiparticles, an effect called CP violation. The CP violating effects so far observed are not nearly large enough to create the Universe we see. The most likely source for more CP violation is in the interactions of neutrinos. A key observation is that neutrinos have mass, and that different types of neutrinos can interchange their identities in flight. The T2K experiment has made measurements of this, and has detected tantalising hints of CP violation. We plan to build on this work, both in running experiments (T2K and SBND) and in designing the next generation of neutrino experiments which will have much greater sensitivity. We have developed tools to assist the neutrino community in comparing results and improving our understanding of how neutrinos interact. Our access to Boulby Mine provides an invaluable low-background laboratory for testing materials and detector prototypes.
Last but not least, we seek to apply HEP technology to industry and to solving global problems. We are using techniques developed for ATLAS to contribute to the development of robotics and to deal with highly radioactive environments such as Chernobyl. We are designing muon detectors to search for nuclear contraband and monitor volcanoes. Our signal processing techniques are being applied to improving medical imaging for heart patients. Our expertise in water Cherenkov neutrino detection is being exploited in an experiment designed to monitor compliance with nuclear non-proliferation treaties. All of this work builds on our STFC core programme to benefit the wider world.
Planned Impact
We maintain a wide-ranging R&D programme, based on our STFC core activities, which has impacts in many areas.
Industry benefits from our work. Some of our R&D is directly focused on meeting the needs of UK industry, for example our work on robotics, radiation monitoring, muon tomography, and signal processing applied to medical and engineering applications. Industry benefits through the development of new products, e.g. specialist welding rigs, robotic inspection devices, re-manufacturing techniques for aerospace components, and plastic scintillator, which are commercially viable. Examples of companies benefiting from our work include Shadow Robot, Rolls-Royce Aerospace, LabLogic Systems, Creavo Medical Technologies and Durridge (UK) Ltd. These benefits have arisen directly from our core STFC work on ATLAS, neutrino physics, dark matter direct detection, and gravitational waves. We also assist UK industry in winning contracts for particle physics engineering projects, such as the anode plane assembly frames for SBND and ProtoDUNE.
Developing nations will benefit from our work. We plan to apply our muon tomography work to monitoring active volcanoes, providing an early warning system which can save lives.
Global security benefits from our work. The WATCHMAN project aims to use technology from neutrino physics to monitor reactor activity, providing a way to check compliance with nuclear non-proliferation treaties. Our muon tomography work has been applied to scanning cargo containers for clandestine nuclear materials. We are working with industry to produce robotic devices that can explore high-radiation environments, helping to develop safe ways to decommission nuclear facilities.
The environment benefits from our work. We have studied the use of muon tomography to monitor underground carbon dioxide repositories for carbon capture and storage. Our signal processing work has applications in motor control, improving the efficiency of electric motors and thereby offering significant power savings.
Public health will benefit from our work. We are applying signal processing techniques to improve the performance of magnetic heart monitors used to triage cardiac patients. We are also investigating the application of our liquid argon and large area photosensor development work to medical imaging, potentially improving the performance of diagnostic equipment such as PET scanners.
The public understanding of science benefits from our work. Over the past three years, our programme of public and schools lectures, demonstrations and interactive exhibits has reached at least 5000 people (including 3000 schoolchildren). We give lectures at teachers' professional development schools and target schools with low rates of progress to higher education. We are committed to publicising the UK's role in cutting-edge STFC science to the widest possible audience.
Industry benefits from our work. Some of our R&D is directly focused on meeting the needs of UK industry, for example our work on robotics, radiation monitoring, muon tomography, and signal processing applied to medical and engineering applications. Industry benefits through the development of new products, e.g. specialist welding rigs, robotic inspection devices, re-manufacturing techniques for aerospace components, and plastic scintillator, which are commercially viable. Examples of companies benefiting from our work include Shadow Robot, Rolls-Royce Aerospace, LabLogic Systems, Creavo Medical Technologies and Durridge (UK) Ltd. These benefits have arisen directly from our core STFC work on ATLAS, neutrino physics, dark matter direct detection, and gravitational waves. We also assist UK industry in winning contracts for particle physics engineering projects, such as the anode plane assembly frames for SBND and ProtoDUNE.
Developing nations will benefit from our work. We plan to apply our muon tomography work to monitoring active volcanoes, providing an early warning system which can save lives.
Global security benefits from our work. The WATCHMAN project aims to use technology from neutrino physics to monitor reactor activity, providing a way to check compliance with nuclear non-proliferation treaties. Our muon tomography work has been applied to scanning cargo containers for clandestine nuclear materials. We are working with industry to produce robotic devices that can explore high-radiation environments, helping to develop safe ways to decommission nuclear facilities.
The environment benefits from our work. We have studied the use of muon tomography to monitor underground carbon dioxide repositories for carbon capture and storage. Our signal processing work has applications in motor control, improving the efficiency of electric motors and thereby offering significant power savings.
Public health will benefit from our work. We are applying signal processing techniques to improve the performance of magnetic heart monitors used to triage cardiac patients. We are also investigating the application of our liquid argon and large area photosensor development work to medical imaging, potentially improving the performance of diagnostic equipment such as PET scanners.
The public understanding of science benefits from our work. Over the past three years, our programme of public and schools lectures, demonstrations and interactive exhibits has reached at least 5000 people (including 3000 schoolchildren). We give lectures at teachers' professional development schools and target schools with low rates of progress to higher education. We are committed to publicising the UK's role in cutting-edge STFC science to the widest possible audience.
Organisations
- University of Sheffield (Lead Research Organisation)
- University of Tartu (Collaboration)
- ATLAS Experiment (Collaboration)
- Super-Kamiokande (Collaboration)
- European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN) (Collaboration)
- VBC Group (United Kingdom) (Project Partner)
- Durridge UK Ltd (Project Partner)
- Lablogic Systems (United Kingdom) (Project Partner)
- i3D Robotics (United Kingdom) (Project Partner)
- Nuclear AMRC (Project Partner)
- National Instruments (United Kingdom) (Project Partner)
Publications
Aad G
(2019)
Measurement of the cross-section and charge asymmetry of W bosons produced in proton-proton collisions at $$\sqrt{s}=8~\text {TeV}$$ with the ATLAS detector
in The European Physical Journal C
Aaboud M
(2019)
Measurements of W and Z boson production in pp collisions at $$\sqrt{s}=5.02$$ s = 5.02 TeV with the ATLAS detector
in The European Physical Journal C
Aad G
(2019)
Measurement of $$K_S^0$$ and $$\Lambda ^0$$ production in $$t \bar{t}$$ dileptonic events in pp collisions at $$\sqrt{s} =$$ 7 TeV with the ATLAS detector
in The European Physical Journal C
Aad G
(2019)
ATLAS b-jet identification performance and efficiency measurement with $$t{\bar{t}}$$ events in pp collisions at $$\sqrt{s}=13$$ TeV
in The European Physical Journal C
Aaboud M
(2019)
Measurement of prompt photon production in s NN = 8.16 TeV p + Pb collisions with ATLAS
in Physics Letters B
Aaboud M
(2019)
Search for long-lived neutral particles in pp collisions at $${\sqrt{s}} = 13~{\text { TeV}}$$ that decay into displaced hadronic jets in the ATLAS calorimeter
in The European Physical Journal C
Aaboud M
(2019)
Comparison of Fragmentation Functions for Jets Dominated by Light Quarks and Gluons from pp and Pb+Pb Collisions in ATLAS.
in Physical review letters
Aaboud M
(2019)
Observation of electroweak W±Z boson pair production in association with two jets in pp collisions at s = 13 TeV with the ATLAS detector
in Physics Letters B
Aaboud M
(2019)
Search for heavy particles decaying into a top-quark pair in the fully hadronic final state in p p collisions at s = 13 TeV with the ATLAS detector
in Physical Review D
Description | Particle Physics Consolidated Grant from the University of Sheffield: Energy Frontier, Neutrinos, Dark Matter |
Amount | £2,427,602 (GBP) |
Funding ID | ST/S000747/1 |
Organisation | Science and Technologies Facilities Council (STFC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 09/2019 |
End | 09/2023 |
Title | "Data" of "First Dark Matter Search Results from the LUX-ZEPLIN (LZ) Experiment" |
Description | Data points used in analysis in log_10(S2)-S1 space |
Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
Year Produced | 2023 |
Provided To Others? | Yes |
URL | https://www.hepdata.net/record/145093 |
Title | "Efficiency" of "First Dark Matter Search Results from the LUX-ZEPLIN (LZ) Experiment" |
Description | Data selection efficiency as a function of nuclear recoil energy |
Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
Year Produced | 2023 |
Provided To Others? | Yes |
URL | https://www.hepdata.net/record/145092 |
Title | "SDn cross section" of "First Dark Matter Search Results from the LUX-ZEPLIN (LZ) Experiment" |
Description | 90% CL WIMP SDn cross sections, including sensitivities and nuclear structure uncertainties |
Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
Year Produced | 2023 |
Provided To Others? | Yes |
URL | https://www.hepdata.net/record/145090 |
Title | "SDp cross section" of "First Dark Matter Search Results from the LUX-ZEPLIN (LZ) Experiment" |
Description | 90% CL WIMP SDp cross sections, including sensitivities and nuclear structure uncertainties |
Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
Year Produced | 2023 |
Provided To Others? | Yes |
URL | https://www.hepdata.net/record/145091 |
Title | "SI cross section" of "First Dark Matter Search Results from the LUX-ZEPLIN (LZ) Experiment" |
Description | 90% CL WIMP SI cross sections, including sensitivities |
Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
Year Produced | 2023 |
Provided To Others? | Yes |
URL | https://www.hepdata.net/record/145089 |
Description | ATLAS Collaboration |
Organisation | ATLAS Experiment |
Country | Switzerland |
Sector | Public |
PI Contribution | The Sheffield team is a founder of the ATLAS experiment at CERN and contributes to its construction, development and exploitation |
Collaborator Contribution | Construction of the Semiconductor tracker, development of the software and computing of the experiment. Physics analysis, Higgs, Standard Model, Supersymmetry, top |
Impact | Discovery of the Higgs boson and many others |
Description | Collaboration with SuperKamiokande (SuperK) Collaboration |
Organisation | Super-Kamiokande |
Country | Japan |
Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
PI Contribution | Selected members of the UK HyperKamiokande team, including Lee Thompson and Andrew Cole from Sheffield joined SuperK in January 2016. We are working with members of the SuperK EGADS team on measuring the activity of Gadolinium samples at the so-called Boulby Underground Germanium Suite (BUGS) at STFC's Boulby Underground Lab. There are also plans to use SuperK as a testbench ofr some of the HyperK calibration work that we are involved in. |
Collaborator Contribution | Expertise in calibration. Production of Gd samples. Expertise in handing and measurement of Gd samples. |
Impact | Work is ongoing, no direct impact yet. |
Start Year | 2016 |
Description | Hep Software foundation |
Organisation | European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN) |
Department | CERN - Other |
Country | Switzerland |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | The SWIFT-HEP team participates to the collaboration by providing leadership roles as well as contributing to the software development |
Collaborator Contribution | Simulation software, development of the AdePT code which allows simulation of particle interaction on GPU Event generations. Improvement of the software used to describe the W/Z + jet process resulting in a factor x10 improvement in compute performance. |
Impact | See publication list |
Start Year | 2019 |
Description | SilentBorder |
Organisation | University of Tartu |
Country | Estonia |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | This is a project funded by Horizon 2020 in collaboration with the University of Tartu, Universite Catholique de Louvain, German Aerospace Centre, G-Scan, SGS, CAEN and border agencies. The collaboration is working on a muon tomography system for scanning lorries and containers. |
Collaborator Contribution | This is a project funded by Horizon 2020 in collaboration with the University of Tartu, Universite Catholique de Louvain, German Aerospace Centre, G-Scan, SGS, CAEN and border agencies. The collaboration is working on a muon tomography system for scanning lorries and containers. |
Impact | Multidisciplinary collaboration involving universities and industrial partners. Disciplines: particle physics, engineering, electronics, border security. |
Start Year | 2020 |
Title | Modified SOURCES4 code (from 2014) |
Description | The original code SOURCES4 developed at LANL (USA) has been modified to allow more accurate calculation of neutron yield in (alpha, n) reactions on a large number of isotopes relevant to material construction for rare event experiments. Further modifications to the libraries and user interface done in 2019-2023. |
Type Of Technology | Software |
Year Produced | 2014 |
Impact | The code is now widely used by physicists working with underground experiments for rare event searches. |
Company Name | Geoptic Limited |
Description | |
Year Established | 2019 |
Impact | Work with Network Rail to image railway tunnels to locate and characterise hidden shafts. |
Description | International Masterclass |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Schools |
Results and Impact | 40 pupils attended the research institute, learned about particle physics and participated in hands-on exerices on particle physics. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
URL | https://indico.shef.ac.uk/event/31/ |
Description | Interview with The New York Times magazine (Science) |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Media (as a channel to the public) |
Results and Impact | Interview with a science journalist of The New York Times magazine (Science). Extract published in the magazine. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
Description | Lectures for UKM students |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Undergraduate students |
Results and Impact | A set of online lectures for students from UKM (Malaysia) and their supervisors/lecturers. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
Description | Talk at a conference for undergraduate students |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Undergraduate students |
Results and Impact | A PDRA gave a review talk at a conference for students. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
Description | Talk in local school |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Schools |
Results and Impact | A PDRA gave a talk in a local school |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
Description | Talking to New Scientist (NL) for article |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Response to dutch journalist in response to a new measurements (and press release by CERN/ the ATLAS experiment) |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
URL | https://www.newscientist.nl/nieuws/lhc-ziet-deeltjes-met-massa-ontstaan-uit-botsing-massaloze-lichtd... |
Description | Virtual international masterclass |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Schools |
Results and Impact | discussed with school students on particle physics |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
URL | https://indico.shef.ac.uk/event/34/ |