Standard Model measurements: precision tests for new physics
The Oxford group leads measurements that probe the parton momentum distributions in the proton, determine the properties of the electroweak gauge bosons, and test lepton-flavour universality. The group also searches for unobserved topological states predicted by the Standard Model.
To constrain parton distribution functions, we have led SM measurements of W and Z bosons in association with hadronic jets at ATLAS. Members of the group have also led the ATLAS PDF forum and performed independent fits to HERA and ATLAS data sets, and developed public tools and frameworks for the study of PDFs.
We also contribute to measurements of jet substructure observables in final states containing vector bosons and heavy-flavour jets.
Our group contributed to the first ATLAS W boson mass measurement, which constrains new processes such as those predicted by supersymmetry. We have measured the pair production of W bosons, which is sensitive to the self-interactions of the W and Z bosons (the WWZ vertex) that probe models beyond the SM such as those with a composite Higgs boson.
We initiated and completed a measurement of Drell-Yan ditau production at high invariant mass and in association with b-quarks, providing sensitivity to new states that preferentially interact with third-generation fermions.
Finally, we are looking for topological particles such as Instantons. Topological structures like these are important in matter-anti-matter asymmetry, and are predicted to occur within the Standard Model but have not yet been observed.
Doctoral thesis topics are available in each of these areas.
Contact Prof Claire Gwenlan, Prof Chris Hays