Probing the Physics of the Hierarchy Problem

利用目前正在运行的大型强子对撞机的结果，该项目将探索电弱对称破缺的物理学，并测试希格斯机制和超对称的双重理论思想。通过研究希格斯扇区的扩展，该小组将找到测试超对称最小模型的方法，并利用数据区分各种模型。这也将与通过希格斯衰变对轻子风味破坏的测试联系在一起，这种现象与正在进行的研究中微子质量和混合的努力密切相关。最后，将探讨希格斯玻色子物理学、超对称与暗物质和宇宙重子不对称的天体物理问题之间的联系。在这样做的过程中，该小组试图增加我们对实验中不易测量的物理学的理解，例如中微子质量的来源和暗物质的特性与大型强子对撞机的超对称性实验特征相关。与此同时，该项目还包括通过为非科学专业学生开设的现代物理学新课程和创新课程，继续拓展圣母大学学术界，努力改善整个大学的学术建议，以及旨在增加圣母大学学生攻读科学、技术、工程和数学研究生人数的项目。与此同时，通过公共讲座和圣母大学校园内的天文馆展览，以及通过QuarkNet项目与当地高中的互动，继续向更大的北印第安纳社区延伸。

Using results from the now-operational Large Hadron Collider, this project will probe the physics of electroweak symmetry breaking and test the twin theoretical ideas of the Higgs mechanism and supersymmetry. By examining extensions of the Higgs sector, the group will find ways to test the minimal models of supersymmetry and to distinguish among various models using data. This will also tie into tests of lepton flavor violation through Higgs decays, a phenomenon deeply connected to the ongoing efforts to study neutrino masses and mixings. Finally, connections will be explored between the physics of the Higgs boson, supersymmetry and the astrophysical problems of dark matter and the baryon asymmetry of the universe. In so doing, the group seeks to increase our understanding of physics which is not readily measured in experiment, such as the source of the neutrino masses and the properties of the dark matter correlated with experimental signatures for SUSY at the LHC.Simultaneously, this project includes continued outreach to the Notre Dame academic community through new and innovative courses in modern physics for non-science majors, work on improving academic advising throughout the university, and programs designed to increase the number of Notre Dame students pursuing graduate studies in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. This is coupled to continued outreach to the greater Northern Indiana community through public lectures and planetarium shows on the Notre Dame campus, and interactions with local high schools through the QuarkNet program.