Elementary Particle Physics Using High Energy Colliders

欧洲核子研究中心的大型强子对撞机（LHC）迄今为止已经产生了5个反飞秒的碰撞数据，预计到2012年底，数据集将增加到15个反飞秒。华盛顿大学实验粒子物理小组是ATLAS合作的一员，正在继续一项雄心勃勃的计划，以充分利用LHC前所未有的发现潜力。本文的研究主要集中在对电弱对称性破缺（EWSB）机制的探索上。在标准模型（SM）以及标准模型的超对称（SUSY）扩展中，希格斯机制是EWSB最令人信服的解释。华盛顿的研究计划从两个方向解决了这个悬而未决的问题：寻找低质量的SM希格斯和中性的SUSY希格斯玻色子，使用衰变到τ轻子;并寻找非标准的轻希格斯衰变到可以长寿命的中性粒子。 除了ATLAS物理计划外，该小组还继续扩大其对ATLAS探测器和软件的贡献。该小组设计，建造和委托了ATLAS前μ子室的大部分，并在μ子系统的操作和在线和离线数据质量保证方面承担重要责任。小组成员积极参与ATLAS像素探测器IBL（可插入桶层）的制造，并将在2013-14年参与IBL的安装。该小组还继续大力参与b夸克标记和μ子触发算法的开发以及τ轻子的重建和识别。该计划在华盛顿大学提供了一个重要的机会，本科培训，一个重要的特点，鉴于华盛顿大学有一个最大的物理本科课程在全国。该小组计划继续其长期的传统，让大学生参与研究工作的各个方面。华盛顿还积极参与当地高中教师和学生的外展工作，作为国家QuarkNet计划的一部分。 值得注意的是，华盛顿小组最近通过让教师和学生参与ATLAS数据的分析，开辟了QuarkNet参与的新方向。他们对更广泛的教育和推广的承诺也表现在该小组的一名教师最近成为QuarkNet在国家一级的联合首席研究员。

The Large Hadron Collider (LHC) at CERN has produced 5 inverse femtobarns of collision data to date and the data set is expected to increase to 15 inverse femtobarns by the end of 2012. The University of Washington Experimental Particle Physics group, a member of the ATLAS collaboration, is continuing an ambitious program to take full advantage of the unprecedented discovery potential of the LHC. The research is focused mainly on the search for the mechanism of Electroweak Symmetry Breaking (EWSB). In the Standard Model (SM) as well as in Supersymmetric (SUSY) extensions of the SM, the Higgs mechanism is the most compelling explanation of EWSB. The Washington research program addresses this open question from two directions: searches for a low-mass SM Higgs and for the neutral SUSY Higgs bosons using decays into tau leptons; and searches for non-standard light Higgs decays to neutral particles that can be long-lived. In addition to the ATLAS physics program, the group continues to expand its contributions to the ATLAS detector and software. The group designed, built and commissioned a large part of the ATLAS forward muon chambers and has significant responsibilities in the operations and online and offline data quality assurance of the muon system. Group members are active participants in the fabrication of the IBL (Insertable Barrel Layer) for the ATLAS pixel detector and will participate in the IBL installation in 2013-14. The group also continues to be strongly involved in the development of b-quark tagging and muon triggering algorithms and the reconstruction and identification of tau-leptons. The program at the University of Washington provides a significant opportunity for undergraduate training, an important feature given that UW has one of the largest physics undergraduate programs in the country. The group plans to continue its long tradition of involving undergraduates in all aspects of the research work. Washington is also actively engaged in outreach efforts to local high school teachers and students as part of the national QuarkNet program. Notably, the Washington group has recently opened a new direction in its QuarkNet participation by involving teachers and students in the analysis of ATLAS data. Their commitment to broader education and outreach is also demonstrated by the fact that one of the group's faculty members has recently become a co-principal investigator of QuarkNet at the national level.