High Energy Physics Projects
High Intensity Elementary Particle Physics (Experiment)
E-mail: gahs@phys.ksu.edu
Physics at its heart is the study of the properties and interactions of matter, energy, space, and time. A primary focus of the K-State high energy physics group's research is on using high intensity particle beams and specialized particle detectors at Fermilab to search for "new physics". By "new physics", we mean fundamental interactions and properties that have not yet been discovered. We have a strong and active effort in developing the Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment (DUNE) and the muon-to-electron search Mu2e. K-State will be working on software for monitoring and controlling the Mu2e experiment, testing parts of the Mu2e cosmic ray veto system, testing high voltage systems and ProtoDUNE and DUNE, and data analysis and simulation for ProtoDUNE and DUNE. This is an excellent opportunity for an REU student to gain experience in multiple aspects of high energy physics.
Testing New Instrumentation for CMS Detector Upgrade and Studying Sensitivity to Double Higgs Production (Experiment)
E-mail: aivanov@phys.ksu.edu
The Compact Muon Solenoid (CMS) detector is one of two large multi-purpose detectors at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC), where the Higgs boson was discovered. The purpose of CMS is to study Higgs boson properties and search for new particles, which could help answering unresolved fundamental questions in particle physics. Here at K-State we are in process of developing high-speed electronics, which will be used in the upgraded CMS detector, and studying sensitivity to new physics scenarios and double Higgs production, which will allow us to measure Higgs self-coupling. The project is two-fold : testing electronics using the data readout chain test-stand and simulating physics processes to study event signatures in the detector that will help us to probe double Higgs production.
Mentee description:
General interest in high-energy physics and in development of instrumentation for high-energy experiments. Basic experience in working on Linux machines and basic programming using python and C++ is desired.