MPS: Particle Physics and Cosmology in the Experimental Age

该奖项资助皮丽莎·兰德尔在粒子物理和宇宙学的多个领域的研究，这些领域与扭曲额外维度的现象学后果有关。其中最主要的是与大型强子对撞机相关的研究，以及建立模型和与暗物质相关的研究。兰德尔讨论的许多模型都是为了解决等级问题而设计的。等级问题仍然是认为有趣的超标准模型物理应该存在于弱尺度上的突出动机之一。为什么普朗克标度和弱标度之间有如此大的差距，甚至一个结合了量子力学和狭义相对论的理论如何能够在不进行极不可能的微调的情况下始终如一地保持两个如此截然不同的质量标度，这个问题仍然是当今弱标度粒子物理的主要理论问题。扭曲的额外维度几何体可以潜在地解决层次问题。在这种情况下，截止点在一个额外的维度上变化，因此尽管五维理论的截止点是普朗克尺度的，但膜(我们将称为TeV膜)上的局部截止是TeV量级的。兰德尔还受到与广义相对论解、弦理论和宇宙学的联系的指导。一些工作将致力于特定的模型，如兰德尔-桑德鲁姆(RS)翘曲几何及其实验特征，超对称性和搜索策略与模型建立，希格斯物理，以及风味物理。此外，兰德尔和他的同事将考虑其他模型进行比较，并考虑潜在的有趣签名。对于暗物质，他们将研究新的模型类别，并考虑对不同类型模型的各种实验可能产生的影响。此外，兰德尔计划从事更多与广义相对论和宇宙学解决方案相关的理论工作。该项目还产生了更广泛的影响。随着大型强子对撞机的开始，有很多机会向感兴趣的公众解释粒子物理学和一般科学。兰德尔正在并将参与的活动包括大量的公开讲座和跨学科会议演讲，杂志和报纸上的文章，包括兰德尔写的文章和兰德尔接受采访的文章，以及在电视、广播和纪录片中的露面。

This award funds the research of the PI Lisa Randall in a number of areas of particle physics and cosmology which are related to the phenomenological consequences of warped extra dimensions. Chief among these are LHC-related research along with model building and research related to Dark Matter. Many models Randall discusses are designed to address the hierarchy problem. The hierarchy problem remains one of the outstanding motivations for believing that interesting Beyond-the-Standard Model physics should exist at the weak scale. The question of why there is such a large separation between the Planck scale and the weak scale, or even how a theory incorporating quantum mechanics and special relativity can consistently maintain two such very different mass scales without a highly unlikely fine-tuning remains the major theoretical issue today for weak scale particle physics. Warped extra-dimensional geometry can potentially resolve the hierarchy problem. In this scenario, the cut-off varies over an extra dimension so that although the cut-off of a five dimensional theory is of order of the Planck scale, the local cut-off on a brane (which we will call the TeV brane) is of order a TeV. Randall is also guided by connections to general relativity solutions, string theory, and cosmology. Some work will be devoted to particular models, such as Randall-Sundrum (RS) warped geometry and its experimental signatures, supersymmetry and search strategy and model building, Higgs physics, and flavor physics. In addition Randall and colleagues will consider other models for comparison and consider potentially interesting signatures. With dark matter they will investigate new classes of models and consider possible implications for the various experiments of different types of models. In addition Randall plans to engage in more theoretical work related to general relativity and cosmological solutions. The project also has many broader impacts. With the onset of the LHC there are many opportunities to explain particle physics and science in general to the interested public. The activities in which Randall is and will be involved include numerous public lectures and interdisciplinary conference talks, magazine and newspaper articles, including pieces Randall has written and articles Randall was interviewed for as well as appearances on TV, radio, and in documentaries.