Counting neutrinos to per-mill accuracy. This Project aims to supply the most precise to-date calculation of a critical parameter in cosmology, the effective number of neutrinos, in the context of the standard model of particle physics. Crucial to the correct interpretation of cosmological observations, this parameter enables the reconstruction of the universe's timeline from which to infer its properties. The expected outcome is a number of 4-digit significance that can be used in all future co ....Counting neutrinos to per-mill accuracy. This Project aims to supply the most precise to-date calculation of a critical parameter in cosmology, the effective number of neutrinos, in the context of the standard model of particle physics. Crucial to the correct interpretation of cosmological observations, this parameter enables the reconstruction of the universe's timeline from which to infer its properties. The expected outcome is a number of 4-digit significance that can be used in all future cosmological computations/analyses. Besides raising Australia's international profile in basic science research, this project expects to provide significant societal benefits via the training of HDRs in advanced mathematical modelling and computing, transferable skills across many sectors.Read moreRead less
In and beyond the standard model of particle physics. The standard model of particle physics was developed twenty years ago, and it has been remarkably successful at describing the experiments carried out since then. Now, however there is evidence that there is physics beyond the standard model, and new and planned experiments will make the details of this new physics clearer in the lifetime of this grant. We will study a wide variety of systems, from the foundations of quantum mechanics to ....In and beyond the standard model of particle physics. The standard model of particle physics was developed twenty years ago, and it has been remarkably successful at describing the experiments carried out since then. Now, however there is evidence that there is physics beyond the standard model, and new and planned experiments will make the details of this new physics clearer in the lifetime of this grant. We will study a wide variety of systems, from the foundations of quantum mechanics to extra dimensions of space-time and much between and will find guides to the nature of the new physics.
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Discovering New Particle Physics with Dark Matter and Astrophysical Neutrinos. This project will place Australia at the forefront of pure basic research, and will forge connections with key international institutions. What is the Universe made of? How did it evolve? We address fundamental questions about our Universe, drawing on recent and forthcoming experimental data. We will contribute to Australia's skill base via the training of the best and brightest postgraduate students. These studen ....Discovering New Particle Physics with Dark Matter and Astrophysical Neutrinos. This project will place Australia at the forefront of pure basic research, and will forge connections with key international institutions. What is the Universe made of? How did it evolve? We address fundamental questions about our Universe, drawing on recent and forthcoming experimental data. We will contribute to Australia's skill base via the training of the best and brightest postgraduate students. These students will be equipped with the skills to act as original thinkers on general problems in the wider community. Fundamental questions about the nature of our Universe engage the intellectual curiosity of the general public and inspire the next generation of scientists.Read moreRead less
Branes and unification. This project will explore theories which hypothesis that our universe is a 3-dimensional mem-(brane) residing in higher dimensional space. We will construct completely realistic theories and find ways to test them experimentally. This project is at the forefront of international developments in our understanding of the universe - an area that has grown in importance following the construction of the Large Hadron Collider at the European Giant accelerator laboraroty. The p ....Branes and unification. This project will explore theories which hypothesis that our universe is a 3-dimensional mem-(brane) residing in higher dimensional space. We will construct completely realistic theories and find ways to test them experimentally. This project is at the forefront of international developments in our understanding of the universe - an area that has grown in importance following the construction of the Large Hadron Collider at the European Giant accelerator laboraroty. The project will expose postgraduate students to exciting developments in this fascinating field pf physics.Read moreRead less
Particle physics and cosmology of neutrinos. Neutrinos are a particularly interesting class of elementary particle. The Standard Model of particle physics sees neutrinos as having exactly zero mass. However, recent experimental data have all but demonstrated that massless neutrinos are inconsistent with observations. If neutrinos have mass, then quantum mechanics allows them to oscillate between the different neutrino types as they propagate through space. Nonzero neutrino masses and the associa ....Particle physics and cosmology of neutrinos. Neutrinos are a particularly interesting class of elementary particle. The Standard Model of particle physics sees neutrinos as having exactly zero mass. However, recent experimental data have all but demonstrated that massless neutrinos are inconsistent with observations. If neutrinos have mass, then quantum mechanics allows them to oscillate between the different neutrino types as they propagate through space. Nonzero neutrino masses and the associated oscillations lead to important new physics in the elementary particle domain and in cosmology. This project will explore the implications of neutrino oscillations in diverse areas in particle physics and cosmology.Read moreRead less
Extracting subtle hints for new phenomena at the Large Hadron Collider. This project aims to investigate the detailed nature of the Higgs theory which underpins the mass of elementary particles. The project aims to increase the understanding of particle interactions in the context of precise measurements of the properties of the Higgs boson that will come out of the experimental program at the large hadron collider. Expected outcomes include the development and application of methods to address ....Extracting subtle hints for new phenomena at the Large Hadron Collider. This project aims to investigate the detailed nature of the Higgs theory which underpins the mass of elementary particles. The project aims to increase the understanding of particle interactions in the context of precise measurements of the properties of the Higgs boson that will come out of the experimental program at the large hadron collider. Expected outcomes include the development and application of methods to address existing gaps in the framework that confronts theory and experiment and to efficiently explore its high dimensionality. The benefits of conducting this research in Australia include the development of intellectual culture and the training of early-career researchers as flexible problem solvers in academia or beyond. Read moreRead less
Top-quarks as a portal to new physics at the Large Hadron Collider. This project aims to use data from a Large Hadron Collider experiment, ATLAS, to investigate basic questions in physics. The project expects to use innovative analysis techniques to test the current model of fundamental particles and interactions. While the model, now completed by the Higgs boson discovery, agrees well with observations it cannot be Nature's ultimate description. Expected outcomes include a sensitive investigati ....Top-quarks as a portal to new physics at the Large Hadron Collider. This project aims to use data from a Large Hadron Collider experiment, ATLAS, to investigate basic questions in physics. The project expects to use innovative analysis techniques to test the current model of fundamental particles and interactions. While the model, now completed by the Higgs boson discovery, agrees well with observations it cannot be Nature's ultimate description. Expected outcomes include a sensitive investigation of whether the highest energy particle collisions ever recorded hold evidence for a deeper theory. Significant benefits will be an advancement of fundamental knowledge, cutting-edge training of young scientists, strengthening of Australian participation in international science, and public engagement with science.Read moreRead less
An Australian Program in Precision Flavour Physics. Particle physics is a breakthrough scientific endeavour, addressing fundamental questions about the nature of the laws that govern the Universe we live in. Through engaging in appropriately chosen collaborative experiments at the cutting edge of the field, Australian science can make leading contributions to a deepening understanding that flows from discoveries in this area. Excellent training of young Australian researchers, enhancement of pub ....An Australian Program in Precision Flavour Physics. Particle physics is a breakthrough scientific endeavour, addressing fundamental questions about the nature of the laws that govern the Universe we live in. Through engaging in appropriately chosen collaborative experiments at the cutting edge of the field, Australian science can make leading contributions to a deepening understanding that flows from discoveries in this area. Excellent training of young Australian researchers, enhancement of public interest in science, and fostering of international cooperation and networking are all outcomes which this project will provide.Read moreRead less
Beautiful strings. This project aims to carry out several key experimental measurements, in tandem with substantial theoretical work, to improve the understanding and physical modelling of processes involving b quarks, also called beauty quarks, which are of intense current interest for experiments across the globe. Key theoretical innovations include novel treatments of electromagnetic corrections, novel theoretical formulations of the dominant physical paradigm of string fragmentation, and opt ....Beautiful strings. This project aims to carry out several key experimental measurements, in tandem with substantial theoretical work, to improve the understanding and physical modelling of processes involving b quarks, also called beauty quarks, which are of intense current interest for experiments across the globe. Key theoretical innovations include novel treatments of electromagnetic corrections, novel theoretical formulations of the dominant physical paradigm of string fragmentation, and optimisations of key associated algorithms to enable new applications of broad relevance. Experimental measurements will be carried out to validate the new theoretical developments and use them to minimise theoretical uncertainties.Read moreRead less
The Origin of Mass at the Large Hadron Collider. The Large Hadron Collider is an enormous worldwide effort to understand the building blocks of the Universe. This project will help strengthen world-class research capacity in one of the most exciting frontiers of basic research. It will excite more high-achieving students to pursue careers in science increasing the number of talented graduates in Australia. In addition the big fundamental questions addressed in this research are of great fascin ....The Origin of Mass at the Large Hadron Collider. The Large Hadron Collider is an enormous worldwide effort to understand the building blocks of the Universe. This project will help strengthen world-class research capacity in one of the most exciting frontiers of basic research. It will excite more high-achieving students to pursue careers in science increasing the number of talented graduates in Australia. In addition the big fundamental questions addressed in this research are of great fascination to the general public and will help to further advance the public education of science.Read moreRead less