| Supervisor |
Title/Description |
| Dr. D. Costanzo |
Inclusive Supersymmetry Searches with ATLAS
The student will develop tools to test supersymmetry using multijet + missing ET decay signatures. The understanding of detector response will be crucial at the beginning of ATLAS operation to separate real physics effects from instrumental backgrounds. The student will also work on tracking reconstruction to enhance jet algorithms using an energy flow approach. |
| Dr D.R. Tovey |
Standard Model Backgrounds to Inclusive SUSY Searches at ATLAS
The student will develop techniques for identifying, estimating and rejecting backgrounds to inclusive jets + missing-ET SUSY searches, developing new tools for GFLASH-style fast shower simulation and missing-ET significance reconstruction. Commissioning, calibrating and aligning the SCT detector and in years 2 and 3 search the first ATLAS physics data for Supersymmetry.) |
| Dr. E. Paganis |
Search for the Higgs boson in 4 lepton decays with ATLAS
Higgs→4l is the golden channel for Higgs masses greater than 130GeV. Electron-based calibration of the LAr EM calorimeter, using test-beam and first data. Commissioning and calibration of the SCT tracker. Combination of calorimeter and tracker information for optimum energy linearity and resolution. Development of analysis chain. Search for Higgs. |
| Dr. E. Paganis |
Search for the Higgs boson in 2 photon decays with ATLAS
Higgs→2photon is the golden discovery channel for Higgs masses of 110-130GeV. Commissioning and calibration of the SCT tracker. Photon calibration of the LAr EM calorimeter, using test beam and first data. Conversion reconstruction. Study of photon/jet separation and fake photon rejection. Search for Higgs. |
| Prof. N.J.C. Spooner |
Experimental Dark Matter – DRIFT directional programme
Hardware development and construction with US collaborators of phase 2 of the DRIFT II experiment at Boulby including: development of grouped readout schemes for Time Projection Chambers for reduced electronics noise; installation; development of analysis code for track reconstruction; optimization and data analysis for extraction of neutralino limits and track directional information.) |
| Dr. E. Daw |
Experimental Dark Matter – Noble liquid physics and ZEPLIN
Investigation of breakdown properties of liquid xenon, design and simulation of large-scale noble liquid based dark matter detectors. Analysis of data from ZEPLIN II and ZEPLIN III. Application of field emission points to low background, high spatial resolution readout of large-scale xenon detectors. |
| Prof. N.J.C. Spooner |
Experimental Search for Extra Dimensions – development and analysis of DRIFT II TPC second phase experiment.
Design and optimisation of DRIFT IIc modifications to allow search for KK solar axions through detection of sub 10 keV back to back gammas; GEANT simulation and design of readout electrostatics and shielding; determination of optimum TPC gas mixtures; installation underground; analysis and production of limits. |
| Dr V. Kudryavtsev |
Dark matter searches with EURECA
Mysterious dark matter particles are believed to constitute about 23% of the Universe. Supersymmetry provides a suitable candidate for dark matter: neutralino or WIMP (Weakly Interacting Massive Particle). EURECA is a tonne-scale cryogenic experiment currently at the design stage. It involves more than 100 scientists from several European countries and aims at detecting WIMPs with an unprecedented sensitivity probing the region of parameter space favoured by SUSY models. This student project is directed towards Monte Carlo modelling of the background radiation for EURECA and designing passive shielding and active veto system to attenuate the background that can mimic WIMP interactions in the detector. The project will also include testing the photomultiplier tubes for the active veto system, and designing and testing the data acquisition system for veto. |
| Prof. N.J.C. Spooner |
Liquid Argon Detectors for Neutrino Oscillation Experiments
Development of liquid argon detectors for long base-line neutrino oscillation experiments including T2K: design and construction of liquid Argon test detector; application of charge readout devices (GEMs and micromegas); development of purification techniques; measurement of LqA parameters including electron drift; beam tests and simulations of sensitivity for the proposed detector for T2K.) |
| Dr. C.N. Booth |
Muon Cooling at MICE
MICE addresses a technical challenge facing construction of a Neutrino Factory, the reduction of muon emittance. The student will be involved in finalising the ISIS target drive (a Sheffield responsibility) and its control, MICE data acquisition and analysis of data to measure muon cooling. |
| Dr. C.N. Booth |
Targetry for a Neutrino Factory
The student will join the Sheffield team simulating shock in high power targets, preparing for beam tests and modelling particle production and trapping (using HARP data) and induced radiation effects from interactions of a multi-MW beam with target, support structure and dump. |
| Dr. L.F. Thompson |
Acoustic Detection of Ultra-High Energy Neutrinos
The student will work on various aspects of the ACORNE project which is investigating the acoustic detection of ultra-high energy neutrinos. The programme of work will include developing pulsed light and energy sources for calibration purposes, Monte Carlo simulations of large hydrophone arrays, signal processing and data analysis. |
| Dr. L.F. Thompson |
Neutrino Oscillations and the T2K experiment
The Sheffield group has responsibility for construction and commissioning of part of the electromagnetic calorimeter for the T2K 280m detector. The student will be involved in this work, in particular, testing scintillator bars, overseeing aspects of the local construction in Sheffield and the final commissioning of the detector at Tokai, Japan. |
| Dr. L.F. Thompson |
A cubic kilometre scale neutrino telescope in the Mediterranean
The KM3NeT collaboration has recently been funded by the EU to design a cubic-kilometre scale neutrino telescope which will be built in the Mediterranean Sea. The student will be involved in designing calibration systems for the detector and in the simulation of the detector's potential performance in detecting dark matter and astrophysical sources of neutrinos. |
| Dr. S.L. Cartwright |
Neutrino Oscillation Measurements with T2K
The student will contribute to the construction and commissioning of the T2K280m Detector, particularly the electromagnetic calorimeter. The focus of the project will be in software and analysis work, including simulation, performance studies and analysis of first data. |
