High Energy Physics

MSU's High Energy Physics group is working on establishing Standard Model benchmarks with early data sets, precise theory predictions and PDF uncertainties. These studies will expand to include vector boson production of the Higgs. MSU is also involved in searches for Z' bosons in early ATLAS data.

MSU is a key developer for the ATLAS Trigger and Data Acquisition Systems. We are participating in the development of the Level 2 trigger and the optimization of the trigger selection criteria for Top Physics. We also host a Tier-2 ATLAS data analysis site.

The HEP Experimental group also participates in neutrino oscillation experiments such as NOvA, T2K, LBNF/DUNE and IceCube as well as high energy (TeV and over) cosmic ray research with the HAWC Observatory in Mexico.

In addition, the HEP group plays key roles in the South Pole Telescope and forthcoming CMB-S4 experiment, built to understand neutrino and dark-sector physics by observation of the Cosmic Microwave Background, in particular in data analysis and data acquisition hardware.

Members of both the Experimental and Theoretical groups participate in the CTEQ collaboration for research centered on Quantum Chromodynamics (QCD).