Neutrinos and New Particles in High Energy Physics, Astrophysics and Cosmology

高能物理、天体物理学和宇宙学中的中微子和新粒子

• 批准号: 1213480
• 负责人: Irina Mocioiu
• 金额: $ 15万
• 依托单位: Pennsylvania State Univ University Park
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Continuing Grant
• 财政年份: 2012
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2012-09-15 至 2013-08-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=1213480&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: Neutrinos; New; Particles; Energy; Physics

High energy physics and particle astrophysics are very dynamical fields that have revealed evidence of physics beyond the standard model of particle physics through the discovery of neutrino oscillations, dark matter and dark energy. This project is aimed at advancing the theoretical understanding of such aspects of physics beyond the standard model and at maximizing the amount of information that can be obtained from the experimental data by considering new analysis frameworks and exploring new connections between different phenomena. The project integrates an educational outreach program aimed at high school teachers. Neutrino experiments are a large component of both the intensity and cosmic frontiers of exploration in particle physics. The research covers theoretical aspects of several different science topics that can be studied using large neutrino detectors. More specifically: The PI will work on optimizing the next generation of neutrino experiments and developing a better framework for understanding the data and its implications for theoretical models. An extensive study of atmospheric neutrino oscillations in present and future large neutrino detectors will be performed, extending the PIs investigation of such oscillations in the Ice-Cube Deep Core detector. Topics to be explored include: non-standard neutrino interactions in matter; tests for the existence of new species of sterile neutrinos; the value of the atmospheric neutrino data, which covers a large range of energies and propagation distances, in combination with precise neutrino data from long baseline neutrino experiments and other observations. Supernova neutrinos from a galactic explosion would be observed in very large numbers by present and future neutrino detectors. The PI will explore possible analytic solutions to the flavor oscillation equations for streaming neutrinos in a supernova, especially the effects of neutrino-neutrino scattering, by employing methods used to study collective effects in other fields of science. Such solutions could help in simplifying the very involved numerical simulations of supernova neutrino propagation and thus lead to a better understanding of the information that can be obtained from a supernova neutrino detection. The project will address the potential for indirect dark matter detection in large neutrino detectors. Investigation of its value in the context of a general theoretical framework and in connection with other dark matter searches and potential discoveries is also proposed. High energy physics, astrophysics and cosmology and the questions they are trying to address are very exciting and capture the interest of a larger public, providing excellent outreach opportunities. Penn State University and the Pennsylvania Space Grant Consortium coordinate an annual series of summer Science Workshops for Educators aimed at secondary school teachers. The PI and her experimenter colleagues and have successfully developed such a workshop in particle astrophysics. For the future they will continue organizing such summer schools and expand the interactive activities.

高能量物理和粒子天体物理学是非常动态的领域，通过发现中微子振荡，暗物质和暗能量，已经揭示了粒子物理标准模型以外的物理学的证据。该项目的目的是推进对物理学在标准模型之外的此类方面的理论理解，并通过考虑新的分析框架并探索不同现象之间的新联系，从而最大程度地提高了从实验数据中获得的信息量。该项目集成了针对高中教师的教育外展计划。中微子实验是粒子物理学探索强度和宇宙边界的重要组成部分。该研究涵盖了可以使用大型中微子检测器研究的几个不同科学主题的理论方面。更具体地说：PI将致力于优化下一代中微子实验，并开发更好的框架来理解数据及其对理论模型的影响。将对当前和未来的大型中微子探测器进行大气中微子振荡的广泛研究，从而扩展了对冰立方深层核心检测器中此类振荡的PIS研究。要探讨的主题包括：物质中的非标准中微子相互作用；测试存在新物种无菌中微子的存在；大气中微子数据的值涵盖了众多的能量和传播距离，并结合了长期基线中微子实验和其他观测值的精确中微子数据。当前和未来的中微子探测器将大量观察到来自银河爆炸的超新星中微子。 PI将通过采用用于研究其他科学领域的集体效应的方法来探索在超新星中流媒体中微子（尤其是中微子 - 中微子散射的效果）的风味振荡方程的可能分析解决方案。这样的解决方案可以帮助简化超新星中微子传播的非常涉及的数值模拟，从而更好地理解可以从超新星中微子检测中获得的信息。该项目将解决大型中微子检测器中间接暗物质检测的潜力。还提出了在一般理论框架以及与其他暗物质搜索和潜在发现有关的背景下对其价值进行调查。高能量物理学，天体物理学和宇宙学以及他们试图解决的问题非常令人兴奋，并吸引了更大的公众的兴趣，提供了极好的外展机会。宾夕法尼亚州立大学和宾夕法尼亚太空赠款财团协调了针对中学教师的年度夏季科学研讨会。 PI和她的实验室同事，并成功地开发了粒子天体物理学的这样的研讨会。在未来，他们将继续组织此类暑期学校并扩大互动活动。