 A single event in the LHCb. Two protons collide at 7 TeV each, producing hundreds of particles.  Vertex Locator (VELO) for LHCb consists of 42 silicon modules, with only one shown here (silicon in pink). The particle tracks in dark blue converge on the interaction point where the protons collided.  A simulated Higgs event as seen in the CMS detector.  Another simulated Higgs event as seen in the CMS detector. |
Research
The Experimental Particle Physics group was established at UCD in 2002 to study particle interactions at the highest possible collision energies, thus exploring new areas in
fundamental physics never seen before. This work is carried out within international collaborations of scientists, operating large detectors
at particle colliders such as those at Fermilab near Chicago, USA, and at CERN the European Laboratory for Particle Physics near Geneva, Switzerland. Current Collaborations We are collaborating in the D-Zero experiment, taking data at Fermilab's TEVATRON collider since 2001. Inside the TEVATRON, protons collide with anti-protons at the world's highest collision energy of 2 terra electron volts (TeV). This energy allows us to measure properties of heavy fundamental particles, to test the Standard Model of particle physics in this higher energy regime, and to search for even more massive new particles. We also worked on the L3 experiment at the electron-positron collider LEP at CERN. From 1989 until 2000, LEP provided electron-positron collisions at energies ranging from 87 to 209 giga electron volt (GeV), thus reaching a world record for electron-positron collisions. The large amount of data collected at LEP allows us to study the electroweak interaction with unprecedented precision, and to search for new massive particles not observed before. Future Collaborations We will participate in the CMS and LHCb experiments, currently being built at CERN for the 14 TeV proton-proton Large Hadron Collider (LHC). The collision energy of the LHC is indeed sufficient to settle fundamental questions such as the validity of the Standard Model or to discover manifestations of new physics. We are also exploring possible collaborations for experiments at a future linear collider, providing electron-positron collisions in the TeV energy range, and for experimental tests of general relativity, such as satellite-based searches for gravitational waves in space. News The most recent edition of the weekly newsletter CMS Times (Compact Muon Solenoid). Some recent CMS photos and movies from CMS Outreach. Opportunities We always have opportunities for students who wish to work in our group while studying for a Ph.D. If you are interested, get in touch for more information, or come visit us in the School of Physics at UCD.
Publications For more information, please contact Martin Grünewald or Ronan McNulty . |
Particle Physics: Martin Grünewald and Ronan McNulty