Consolidated Grant

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The aim of the Experimental Particle & Astroparticle Physics (EPAP) group is to address some of themajor open questions in our understanding of matter through the study of the nature of fundamentalparticles. In particular, we aim to address many of the open questions in the neutrino sector. Wealso continue to search for new physics, addressing phenomena including proton decay, ultra-light darkmatter and gravitational waves from astrophyiscal sources.Through our long-standing involvement in the Japanese programme of experiments: T2K,Super-Kamiokande and Hyper-Kamiokande, we work on precision neutrino oscillation measurementscombining both beam and atmospheric neutrino samples, aiming to ultimately understand thecontribution of leptonic CP violation towards explaining the matter-antimatter asymmetry of ouruniverse. To facilitate successful measurements, we are pursuing a detailed understanding ofrelevant neutrino interaction cross-sections (in particular electron neutrino cross-sections),detector response and systematic uncertainties. We also support these efforts by developing thecomputing software infrastructure required to analyse the large data volumes and maintaining theouter detector for Super-Kamiokande.We also play an important role in the SNO+ experiment in Canada, which will collect its main datato search for neutrino-less double beta decay, hence probing the nature and mass of the neutrino,during this grant period. Our work will enable this and other key measurements (such as solar andreactor neutrino spectra that further probe oscillation parameters) through analysis coordinationand a careful study of time correlated backgrounds and detector response.Through IceCUBE we access the very high end of the neutrino energy spectrum, preparing andsearching for new physics within, the astrophysical neutrino sample, and placing limits on Lorentzviolation from atmospheric neutrino data.Another goal of the group is the search for proton-decay, motivated by many unified theories,combining extensive phenomenological expertise with our experimental experience in Super-K andHyper-K. Further new physics will be addressed through the Atomic Interferometer ObservatoryNetwork (AION). Our contributions to the development of this series of UK-based quantum interferometerdetectors to explore ultra-light dark matter candidates and detect gravitational waves fromastrophysical sources, will involve detailed sensitivity studies to inform the design.