Studies in Elementary Particle Physics

Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore MD

Investigators

Abstract

This award provides continued support for the hadron collider-physics program of the experimental high-energy physics group at Johns Hopkins University, Morris Swartz - PI, for a three-year period. The intellectual merit follows from the new era of discovery and understanding which has and will continue to progress in the field of particle physics. The group will conduct a program of experimental particle physics research primarily within the CMS experiment at the CERN Large Hadron Collider (LHC). The scientific goals of the program are to determine the source of spontaneous symmetry breaking and to significantly constrain models of physics beyond the Standard Model. The proposed research builds on technical innovations and expertise that it has developed over a number of years. The technical innovations will also assist other CMS research that makes use of b-tagging or the reconstruction of highly boosted final states. The broader impact builds on these technical innovations in the area of distributed databases and simulations on the Open Science Grid most notably in the fields of astronomy and the life sciences. In addition, there is a strong educational component through QuarkNet and annual Physics Fairs which especially benefit underrepresented groups in the Baltimore area.