1. Particle Physics Theory
Lattice QCD
Protons, neutrons and many more exotic particles are made of quarks and yet quarks can never be directly detected. To determine quark properties and understand how they behave, we must solve the theory of the strong force, QCD, and compare the results to experiment.
The Glasgow group is leading the world in calculations for particles made of b and c quarks, which are vital to understanding how nature distinguishes matter and antimatter.
Phenomenology
Phenomenologists calculate what our theories predict we will see at particle colliders such as the Large Hadron Collider due to switch on in We expect the LHC to uncover lots of exciting new physics, such as the elusive Higgs boson which is thought to give other particles their mass.
At Glasgow we investigate theories of the Higgs boson, and other new physics that we might uncover, such as supersymmetry. Together with experimental colleagues we develop new ways of exploring the high energy frontier.
We believe particle physics will soon enter a new Golden Age, and we intend Glasgow to be at its forefront.
Particle Physics Theory
Theoretical particle physics is about uncovering the fundamental particles and interactions that drive physics at the smallest distance scales.
Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Glasgow,
Glasgow G12 8QQ, UK

2. Detector Development & E-Science
Current Experiments
We are collecting high-intensity data at the CDF experiment on the TeVatron Collider at Fermilab, currently the world’s most powerful particle accelerator.
We are preparing two of the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) experiments (ATLAS and LHCb) at CERN. The LHC is the largest scientific apparatus ever constructed. These experiments will allow us to explore matter / anti-matter asymmetries, search for the last remaining piece of the standard model – the Higgs boson – and for new as yet unknown physics.
Future Experiments
We are undertaking novel semi-conductor detector development for the future upgrades of the LHC experiments and a future electron-positron accelerator known as the International Linear Collider. We are studying the optimal design for a neutrino factory that will search for CP violation in neutrinos.
Detector Development &
E-Science
The detector technologies we develop have many other uses including medical imaging and security applications.
E-science activities have been driven by the need to process the enormous volumes of data that will be generated at the LHC. However, the Grid software and computing resources are now used from Medical to Industrial applications.
The experimental particle physics group is dedicated to the study of the fundamental constituents of matter and their interactions. These activities are carried out in collaboration with international laboratories, where major new physics discoveries can be made.
Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Glasgow,
Glasgow G12 8QQ, UK