Calibration and Tracking Subsystem for the QWEAK Experiment

Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University, Blacksburg VA

Investigators

Abstract

The research proposed here seeks the answer to one of the fundamental questions about our understanding of matter; i.e. is there any new physics beyond the Standard Model of electroweak physics. The QWEAK experiment at Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility addresses this question by measuring the proton's weak charge via parity-violating electron scattering at very low momentum transfer. The proton's weak charge, which is its coupling to the neutral Z boson, has a well-defined prediction in the Standard Model; and a precise measurement of this charge is sensitive to many popular scenarios for extending the Standard Model. The Virginia Tech group is responsible for an essential component of the particle tracking system, two sets of drift chambers. This system is required in order to precisely measure the kinematics of elastically electrons, as well as for critical studies of experimental backgrounds. Participation by one graduate student and two undergraduate students under the supervision of a faculty participant and funded by this grant will provide essential resources for timely completion of this project, and will substantially enhance their educational experience and training.