Particle Physics STFC Consolidated Grant 2012

Experimental particle physics addresses some of the fundamental questions about the structure and behaviour of the
Universe at the level of the smallest particles of matter, the quarks and the leptons, and the forces acting between them. We are exploring fundamental properties of particles at the the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) and also exploring the nature of dark matter by developing and employing novel detection systems.

We are contributing to the preparation of the ATLAS project at the Large Hadron Collider at CERN that will
begin taking data in 2009. We have constructed and commissioned electronic systems and the software that drives them.
From 2009 onwards we will be analysing the data as it becomes available. In particular we will be searching the data for
evidence of the existence of the Higgs boson, one of the key missing elements of the Standard Model of particle physics
at present, and for supersymmetric particles and other exotic phenomena, that are expected to exist. We are also
planning to understand better the properties of the top quark and the structure of the proton.
Beneficiaries.

Cosmological measurements determine that dark matter makes up five times more of the energy density of the universe than the particles we know of. Although the existence of dark matter is inferred from its gravitational interactions, it has not yet been directly detected in terrestrial laboratories. Direct detection experiments seek to observe dark matter scattering on target detector nuclei. To explore these fundamental issues, we have set up a new dark matter group to participate in a world-leading dark matter search on DEAP/CLEAN, a liquid Argon detector with unique potential for scaling to multi-tonne masses, and with the DMTPC detector development program to measure the dark matter wind, which can correlate a dark matter-induced recoil signal with the earth's motion through the galactic dark matter halo, distinct from relatively isotropic terrestrial backgrounds.

The Centre for Particle Physics (CPP) at RHUL includes the particle physics experimental research applied for in the Consolidated Grant. The CPP also contains the John Adams Institute for Accelerator Science at RHUL and our theoretical physics activity; while these are not applying for funding in this proposal, it should be recognized that they have impact related synergies that will benefit from this grant.

The beneficiaries from this research include:

Employers of numerate and scientifically literate staff
- particle physics PhD's are highly sought after outside of academic in physics related jobs and also in industry and finance.
- undergraduates are attracted to science degrees by their excitement by particle physics; these graduates subsequently go into the wider workforce.

Wider public through a greater appreciation of fundamental physics
- the huge exposure of the LHC and the ongoing quest for the Higgs boson in the UK media demonstrates national interest in particle physics
- scientific discovery is part of the human condition and has a strong role in the culture of the nation.

Users of computing
- The LHC analysis needs vast computing resources that have necessitated developing transformative computing systems, namely the Grid, that has set new scales for distributed computing and is also opening up new possibilities outside of particle physics.
- students emerge from our research programmes well versed in state-of-the art computing and bring this expertise to industry and finance.

Detector systems
- The dark matter group at RHUL is very interested in low-background radiation detector development, in particular using cryogenic targets with large area photo-detectors for scintillation photon detection. We are also actively pursuing low-pressure gas time projection chamber R&D with both commercial photosensors for optical readout as well as low-noise electronics for charge readout. Both of these efforts potentially have commercial applications in the areas of low energy gamma and direction-sensitive neutron detection.
- In order to advance the impact agenda, the dark matter group at RHUL is endorsing a SEPNET/IPS Fellowship application by the University of Surrey in the context of SEPNET and intends to collaborate on developing technology transfer projects to explore commercialising radiation detectors based on our R&D efforts, and associated instrumentation and techniques.