High Energy Physics Seminars This Term

I will discuss an agnostic, model-independent analysis of baryon number violating nucleon decay using the power of Effective Field Theory. In my presentation, I explore the contributions of dimension-six and -seven effective operators to ∣Δ(B−L)∣=0, 2 nucleon decays, incorporating the effects of the Renormalisation Group Equations. This analysis includes deriving lower limits on the energy scale of each operator as well as exploring correlations between different decay modes. Additionally, I will discuss a few simple UV models that generate proton decay at dimension six and seven in the SMEFT, highlighting their connection with the generation of Majorana neutrino masses.

A core-collapse Supernova in our own galaxy would be close enough to be seen with neutrinos in many of the world's neutrino and dark matter detectors. Those neutrinos exit the star promptly, while the electromagnetic fireworks appear ~hours later after the explosion's shock reaches the star's surface. This signal will teach us a lot both about the birth of a neutron star and neutrinos themselves when seen in detail with large, high resolution experiments such as DUNE. It will also be used as an automated early warning by SNEWS, a network of detectors around the world, to facilitate early observations of this rare (~1.5 per century) event using electromagnetic and gravitational wave messengers.

The SM has provided a powerful description of elementary particle physics, and it can explain most experimental findings with high precision. However, it is challenged by some recent experiments and theoretical considerations such as (g − 2)µ, Gauge Hierarchy Problem, etc. The vector-like quarks (VLQs) are well motivated in many new physics models and can be a key to solving the challenges that the SM left us. While all spin-½ particles have left- and right-handed components, the weak force only interacts with the left-handed components of Standard Model particles. However, vector-like quarks would have “ambidextrous” interactions with the weak force, giving them a bit more freedom in how they decay. In my analysis, I will be looking for channels with pair produced VLQs with top like properties decaying fully hadronically using a new boosted jet reclustering technique and cut based approach.

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Dark matter self-interactions is a fascinating concept that could help explain some of the universe's mysteries, such as the distribution of dark matter near galactic centers. If such interactions occur in nature, dark matter could form bound states, which might be observable in LHC collisions. In this search for self-interacting dark matter (SIDM), the dark matter particles produced at the LHC form a heavy bound state, which subsequently decays into a pair of boosted, long-lived dark photons. The decays of these dark photons could produce clusters of displaced and collimated leptons, which are reconstructed as "displaced lepton jets". The first part of the talk focuses on the reconstruction efficiency and displacement of these lepton jets. For the High Luminosity-LHC, the CMS detector is undergoing a massive upgrade, which involves the addition of an MIP Timing Detector (MTD). The central part of the MTD, the barrel timing layer (BTL), is designed to measure the arrival time of charged particles with a precision of 30ps. At UVA, we are making one-fourth of the total BTL. In the second part of the talk, I will talk about the components of the BTL and the progress we have made in its production.

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