Searching for Magnetic Monopoles and Other Exotics with MoEDAL

大型强子对撞机上的MoEDAL，或称单极和其他奇异探测器，是一个搜索具有孤立磁电荷的粒子和其他新物理指标的实验。磁单极子的探测将构成一项重大发现，并对我们对基础物理的理解产生深远的影响。它们的存在将有助于解释目前的单一统一场模型，该模型描述了强粒子和弱粒子的相互作用。磁单极子预计将在强磁场中产生，MoEDAL将搜索已知宇宙中最强的磁场，这些磁场是在大型强子对撞机上重离子碰撞的短暂时刻产生的。最近加入实验的MoEDAL穿透粒子装置(MAPP)将通过搜索弱相互作用粒子来扩大对新物理的探索。一些暗物质理论预言了这样的粒子。该奖项将支持阿拉巴马大学团队在寻找磁单极子和其他奇异粒子方面的领先贡献，从数据分析和模拟到探测器调试和操作。此外，它还将支持该组织旨在帮助改善该县和全州高中生STEM教育的外展努力。该项目的主要目标是：a)领导对MoEDAL RUN-3数据的分析，以寻找铅-铅和质子-质子碰撞中磁单极子和其他奇异物质的产生；b)参与MAPP数据的模拟和分析；c)开发新的基于机器学习的方法来分析和模拟NTD数据；以及d)通过组织NTD校准和促进MAPP计划的升级，支持MoEDAL的运作。外展目标是开发一个与研究领域有关的物理实验，并将其部署到当地学校。根据结果，部分根据老师和学生的反馈判断，这项实验可能会被纳入阿拉巴马州运动科学实验室的标准烘焙程序。该项目由PHY/EPP和既定的激励竞争性研究计划(EPSCoR)共同资助。该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的智力优势和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

MoEDAL, or Monopole and other Exotics Detector at the LHC, is an experiment that searches for particles with isolated magnetic charge and other indicators of new physics. Detection of magnetic monopoles would constitute a major discovery and have a profound effect on our understanding of fundamental physics. Their existence would help explain the current model of a single unified field that describes strong and electroweak particle interactions. Magnetic monopoles are expected to be produced in strong magnetic fields, and MoEDAL will search the strongest magnetic fields in the known universe, which are generated during the brief moments of heavy-ion collisions at the LHC. A recent addition to the experiment, the MoEDAL Apparatus for Penetrating Particles (MAPP), will expand the quest for new physics by searching for feebly interacting particles. Such particles are predicted by some dark matter theories. This award will support the University of Alabama group's leading contributions to the searches for magnetic monopoles and other exotic particles, from data analysis and simulations to detector commissioning and operations. Additionally, it will support the group's outreach effort aimed to help improve STEM education of high school kids in the county and statewide. The main goals of the project are to a) lead analysis of the MoEDAL Run-3 data to search for production of magnetic monopoles and other exotics in lead-lead and proton-proton collisions; b) participate in the simulation and analysis of the MAPP data; c) develop novel machine learning based approaches to analysis and simulation of the NTD data; and d) support operation of MoEDAL by organizing NTD calibrations and contributing to the planned upgrade of MAPP. The outreach goal is to develop and deploy to local schools a physics experiment related to the field of study. Depending on the outcome, judged in part by the feedback from teachers and students, the experiment may be included in the standard roaster of Alabama Science in Motion labs. This project is jointly funded by PHY/EPP and the Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR).This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.