Rutgers High Energy Physics Program

Scott Thomas (PI), Thomas Banks (Co-PI), Matthew Buckley (Co-PI), Eric Gawiser (Co-PI), Saurabh Jha (Co-PI), Heeyeon Kim (Co-PI), Gregory Moore (Co-PI), David Shih (Co-PI)

Project Summary/Abstract:

This proposal supports work on fundamental physics at the energy and cosmic frontiers. Research topics in String theory and Supersymmetric Field theories and their underlying mathematical structures as well their relation to Physical Mathematics will be investigated. Holographic theories of Quantum Gravity including possible connections to cosmology will be refined. New ideas for investigating the origin and identity of Dark Matter as well as for measuring its local distribution within the galaxy through gravitational effects will be pursued. Novel ideas for exploiting the discovery potential of the Large Hadron Collider to uncover evidence of New Physics will be developed, including both physics based techniques as well as Machine Deep Learning algorithms. Research topics in dark energy with the Large Synoptic Survey Telescope (LSST) include studies to improve statistics and reduce systematic errors in the large-scale structure and type-Ia supernova analyses, following key projects identified in the LSST Dark Energy Science Collaboration science roadmap.