Broadening the Discovery Potential of the LHC: Instrumentation, Algorithms, and Training for Physics with the ATLAS Experiment and Direct Axion Detection

该奖项将允许芝加哥大学粒子物理小组为大型强子对撞机的ATLAS实验开发、委托和操作新的仪器，这将使新物理以及标准模型过程的关键测量能够进行新的搜索。通过将他们在仪器、物理分析和数据密集型计算方面的专业知识与机器学习和电子设计方面的新想法相结合，他们将把敏感性扩展到突破性的发现。拟议的仪器工作使该小组能够对更广泛的物理学研究产生长期影响。该小组还旨在对劳动力发展、K-12教育和提高公众科学素养产生影响。他们将根据集团成员的成功经验并与最佳实践保持一致，纳入新的计划和活动。这些活动包括一种全面的培训、教育和提高科学素养的方法，同时促进科学知识的发展。同时，该小组将对研究生和博士后研究人员进行广泛的方法、实验设计、领导力和交流方面的培训。具体地说，该小组将：(A)探索新的物理，包括轴子状粒子，并对标准模型(SM)进行涉及弱电(EW)过程和强子末态的详细测量；(B)继续并加强他们在调试和操作瓷砖热量计和全球特征提取(GFEX)热量计触发系统中的作用；(C)为高亮度大型强子对撞机Run 4提供三个探测器升级：Atlas TileCal主板电子设备、量热计全球事件处理器(GEP)触发器和事件过滤器跟踪(EFTrack)触发系统。芝加哥小组的物理分析活动包括探索电弱/希格斯星区；探索暗星区；以及探索硬QCD星区。每一个都有可能在粒子物理学方面有变革性的发现和见解。随着ATLAS物理计划和HL-LHC升级计划的进展，该小组将在几个领域扩大其作用，包括校准、操作和升级瓷砖热量计，并为RUN 3调试触发系统，以及为HL-LHC升级全球事件处理器(GEP)和事件过滤器触发系统，以及相关的计算范例。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。

This award will allow the University of Chicago particle physics group to develop, commission, and operate new instrumentation for the ATLAS experiment at the Large Hadron Collider that will enable novel searches for new physics as well as key measurements of Standard Model processes. By combining their expertise in instrumentation, physics analysis, and data-intensive computation with novel ideas in machine learning and electronics design, they will extend sensitivities to groundbreaking discoveries. The proposed instrumentation efforts enable the group to have a long-lasting impact on research in physics more broadly. The group also aims to have an impact on workforce development, K-12 education, and enhanced public scientific literacy. They will incorporate new programs and activities based on group members' successful experiences and alignment with best practices. These activities comprise a comprehensive approach to training, educating, and increasing scientific literacy as they advance scientific knowledge. At the same time, the group will train graduate students and postdoctoral researchers in a broad range of methods, experimental design, leadership, and communication.Specifically, the group will: (a) Conduct searches for new physics, including axion-like particles, and conduct detailed measurements of the Standard Model (SM) involving electroweak (EW) processes and hadronic final states; (b) Continue and strengthen their roles in commissioning and operating the Tile calorimeter and global Feature Extractor (gFEX) calorimeter trigger system; (c) Deliver three detector upgrades for the High Luminosity LHC Run 4: ATLAS TileCal Main Board electronics, the calorimeter Global Event Processor (GEP) trigger, and the Event Filter Tracking (EFTrack) trigger system. The Chicago group's physics analysis activities include exploration of the electroweak/Higgs sector; exploration of the dark sector; and exploration of the hard QCD sector. Each has the potential for transformative discoveries and insights in particle physics. The group will expand its roles in several areas as the ATLAS physics program and the HL-LHC upgrade program progress, including calibrating, operating, and upgrading the Tile Calorimeter and commissioning the trigger system for Run 3, as well as upgrading the Global Event Processor (GEP) and Event Filter Trigger systems, and the associated computing paradigms, for the HL-LHC.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.