Research in High Energy Physics: Theory and Phenomenology of Supersymmetry

该奖项资助了北伊利诺伊大学斯蒂芬·P·马丁教授的研究活动。马丁教授的研究涉及对新基本粒子的性质和相互作用的理论研究，这些研究可能会扩展我们目前对物质基本构件的理解。他对超对称性理论特别感兴趣，该理论预测，对于每个已知的基本粒子，肯定有一个具有非常相似的性质但自旋不同(内在角动量)的“超级伙伴”。这些新粒子被认为比目前已知的粒子要重得多，也更不稳定，这就解释了为什么到目前为止它们还没有被发现。大型强子对撞机(LHC)现在正在以比以往任何时候都高得多的能量对撞质子，并有望产生并最终发现至少一些超对称性预测的新粒子。马丁研究的主要目标之一是研究超对称性预测的新粒子可能被探测到的精确方式，然后在大型强子对撞机和未来的实验中进行精确研究。他还致力于开发更准确的计算和工具，以帮助解释新的数据。这对于理解超对称破缺是至关重要的，超对称破缺是导致这些新粒子变重的机制。更广泛地说，马丁计划致力于新的基础物理方面的工作，这些方面可能会在LHC出现令人惊讶的情况。这个项目也将产生更广泛的影响。马丁将指导研究生，提供研究方法方面的培训，并指导本科生从事传统大学课程以外主题的高级研讨会项目。他将通过NIU的QuarkNet中心和其他分享粒子物理最新进展的研讨会，参与对高中教师的教育和培训。他将通过当地和地区的科学博览会直接与高中生互动。马丁还计划在暑期学校为研究生和博士后研究人员讲授超对称性，帮助让粒子理论家社区以外的人更容易接触到这一主题。这一项目的研究还将有助于增进我们对宇宙各组成部分如何组合在一起的知识，提供公众极具兴趣和好奇心的见解。

This award funds the research activities of Professor Stephen P. Martin at Northern Illinois University.Professor Martin's research involves theoretical investigations of the properties of new fundamental particles and interactions that may extend our current understanding of the basic building blocks of matter. He is especially interested in theories of supersymmetry, which predicts that for each of the known fundamental particles, there must be a "superpartner" with very similar properties but different spin (intrinsic angular momentum). These new particles are thought to be much heavier and more unstable than the presently known particles, which explains why they have eluded discovery so far. The Large Hadron Collider (LHC) is now colliding protons at energies much higher than ever before, and holds the promise of being able to produce and finally to discover at least some of the new particles predicted by supersymmetry. One of the main goals of Martin's research is to study the precise manner in which the new particles predicted by supersymmetry might be detected and then studied with precision at the LHC and future experiments. He also aims to develop more accurate calculations and tools that will aid in the interpretation of new data. This will be essential for understanding supersymmetry breaking, which is the mechanism that causes these new particles to be heavy. More generally, Martin plans to work on aspects of new fundamental physics that might appear as surprises at the LHC.This project will also have broader impacts. Martin will mentor graduate students, providing training in research methods, and undergraduate students working on senior seminar projects on topics beyond the traditional university curriculum. He will participate in education and training of high-school teachers through NIU's QuarkNet center and other workshops that share the latest advances in particle physics. He will directly interact with high-school students through local and regional science fairs. Martin also plans to give lectures on supersymmetry at summer schools for graduate students and postdoctoral researchers, helping to make the subject more accessible beyond the community of particle theorists. The research in this project will also help to advance our knowledge of how the building blocks of the universe fit together, providing insights that are of significant interest and curiosity for the general public.