Experimental Physics Research Program at Columbia University/Nevis Laboratories

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PROPOSAL NUMBER: 0758118INSTITUTION: Columbia University NSF PROGRAM: PHY - ELEMENTARY PARTICLE ACCEL USER PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR: Shaevitz, Michael H.TITLE: Experimental Physics Research Program at Columbia University/Nevis LaboratoriesThe Columbia University Nevis Labs program encompasses a broad spectrum of five fundamental experiments in particle physics: ATLAS; MiniBooNE/SciBooNE; D0; eBubble; and Double Chooz. Work on two other future projects is also proposed: the new MicroBooNE and NuSOnG experiments. Particle physics considers a vast range of questions, from subatomic to cosmic scales. It is expected that new physics beyond the Standard Model will hold the key to making progress in our understanding. Some of the most important questions are: How do we explain the large disparity between the weak scale, the grand-unification scale and the Planck scale? What is the dark matter and dark energy in the universe? What is responsible for the large matter-antimatter asymmetry in the universe; is it related to CP violation for the neutrinos? Why are the neutrino masses so small? This award provides funds to support this group in the following research program: top quarks (D0, ATLAS), neutrinos (BooNE, Double Chooz), and sparticles (ATLAS). These last particles could yield candidates for dark matter. The neutrino sector has many unanswered questions: How many are there? Can we measure CP violation now that we know they have mass and oscillate? These are questions that are being answered by the MiniBooNE experiment and, in the future, by Double Chooz. In addition, precision neutrino experiments like NuSOnG will examine if the neutrinos have unexpected properties that give them a special place among the other particles. The Columbia groups place a high priority on education and outreach and plan to build on their past very successful efforts by integrating a number of these activities into the ongoing research. The goal is to engage a full spectrum from high school students and teachers, undergraduates and the general public in understanding and doing high energy physics. A primary emphasis of the Columbia programs is to target underrepresented groups to participate in these activities. The activities range from individual faculty efforts to structured programs such as the Research Experience for Undergraduates, Quarknet, and Fermilab Public Affairs Internship Program.