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
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
A Major Upgrade of the Pierre Auger Cosmic Ray Observatory. A major upgrade is under-way to enhance the sensitivity of the 3000 square kilometre Pierre Auger Observatory in its search for the origin of the highest energy cosmic rays, the most energetic particles known in the Universe. This follows an unexpected Auger result that indicates a significant fraction of these cosmic rays are heavy nuclei. This project, assisting the upgrade, is expected to significantly improve the observatory's abil ....A Major Upgrade of the Pierre Auger Cosmic Ray Observatory. A major upgrade is under-way to enhance the sensitivity of the 3000 square kilometre Pierre Auger Observatory in its search for the origin of the highest energy cosmic rays, the most energetic particles known in the Universe. This follows an unexpected Auger result that indicates a significant fraction of these cosmic rays are heavy nuclei. This project, assisting the upgrade, is expected to significantly improve the observatory's ability to identify the mass, and hence the electric charge, of the incoming cosmic rays, allowing astrophysical source directions to be identified for the low charge particles less affected by cosmic magnetic fields. The project will also contribute to the understanding of particle interactions at energies well beyond those explored at the Large Hadron Collider.Read moreRead less
Exploring the high energy sky with the Pierre Auger Observatory. Cosmic rays are enormously energetic particles that must originate in the most violent environments in the Universe. This work will use the 3000 sq km Pierre Auger Observatory, built in collaboration with Australian physicists, to pinpoint the origin of these rare particles, thus laying to rest one of the longest standing mysteries in astronomy.
The Dawn of Extreme Gamma Ray Astronomy. This project aims to reveal the highest energy cosmic-ray particles in our galaxy, produced in extreme and still unknown astrophysical processes. Their interaction with nuclei in space produces the highest energy gamma ray light. Our project will make use of this extreme gamma ray light with upgraded and next-generation gamma-ray telescope arrays. With accompanying data from Australian radio telescopes, and computer models of the cosmic ray interactions, ....The Dawn of Extreme Gamma Ray Astronomy. This project aims to reveal the highest energy cosmic-ray particles in our galaxy, produced in extreme and still unknown astrophysical processes. Their interaction with nuclei in space produces the highest energy gamma ray light. Our project will make use of this extreme gamma ray light with upgraded and next-generation gamma-ray telescope arrays. With accompanying data from Australian radio telescopes, and computer models of the cosmic ray interactions, our project can finally determine from where these cosmic rays originate, yielding insight into our galaxy's evolution. Complex machine learning methods will be needed in a project that provides a world-leading student training ground, motivated by a century old mystery in astronomy.Read moreRead less
Exploring the High Energy Universe with Neutrinos detected in IceCube. The project aims to use the high energy neutrinos observed by the IceCube detector at the South Pole to uncover
the nature of the most energetic objects in the Universe. This project expects to find out what distant objects made
the neutrinos, understand their distribution through the Universe, and see if they are also cosmic and gamma ray
acceleration and production sites. Expected outcomes of this project include solving th ....Exploring the High Energy Universe with Neutrinos detected in IceCube. The project aims to use the high energy neutrinos observed by the IceCube detector at the South Pole to uncover
the nature of the most energetic objects in the Universe. This project expects to find out what distant objects made
the neutrinos, understand their distribution through the Universe, and see if they are also cosmic and gamma ray
acceleration and production sites. Expected outcomes of this project include solving this long-standing mystery in
high-energy astrophysics, development of new data analysis techniques, training new scientists, and educating
the public. These should provide significant benefits to science and society, through a better educated and critical
thinking workforce and public, ready to face future challenges.Read moreRead less
Black holes accreting at extreme rates . The release of gravitational energy as mass is dumped onto a black hole powers some of the most extreme phenomena in the Universe. This project aims to use a new X-ray telescope to find the most disruptive stellar-mass and supermassive black holes in the Universe, and characterise their outflows with some of the world's most sensitive radio telescopes. This research will answer fundamental questions identified by the astronomical community regarding how b ....Black holes accreting at extreme rates . The release of gravitational energy as mass is dumped onto a black hole powers some of the most extreme phenomena in the Universe. This project aims to use a new X-ray telescope to find the most disruptive stellar-mass and supermassive black holes in the Universe, and characterise their outflows with some of the world's most sensitive radio telescopes. This research will answer fundamental questions identified by the astronomical community regarding how black holes grow, how they generate powerful outflows, and how much energy they can deposit into the surrounding environment. It will forge strong links with international partners, strengthen Australian expertise in this high-impact area of science, and stimulate public outreach work.Read moreRead less
Unlocking the universe's high energy secrets with large scale neutrino detectors at the South Pole. Some of the most violent objects in the universe produce extremely energetic radiation in the form of particles, gamma-rays and neutrinos. Innovative observatories like IceCube, a cubic kilometre of instrumented ice at the South Pole, are being used to identify these astrophysical sources and the mechanisms that produce this extreme radiation.
Understanding the nature and origin of the highest energy cosmic rays. This project aims to harness the capabilities of the upgraded Pierre Auger Observatory to identify sources of the highest energy cosmic rays, the most energetic particles known in the Universe. Their origin is one of the longest standing mysteries in astrophysics, but answers are now within reach. Expected outcomes of the project include mass estimates for every measured cosmic ray, and sky maps of cosmic ray arrival direct ....Understanding the nature and origin of the highest energy cosmic rays. This project aims to harness the capabilities of the upgraded Pierre Auger Observatory to identify sources of the highest energy cosmic rays, the most energetic particles known in the Universe. Their origin is one of the longest standing mysteries in astrophysics, but answers are now within reach. Expected outcomes of the project include mass estimates for every measured cosmic ray, and sky maps of cosmic ray arrival directions that take into account the cosmic ray charge, minimising the effects of path deflections by cosmic magnetic fields. These maps will reveal new information on the types of astrophysical objects capable of accelerating particles to extreme energies, a major step towards solving this difficult problem.Read moreRead less