Tag: Jason Barkeloo

Presenter(s): Joey Carlson

Faculty Mentor(s): James Brau & Jason Barkeloo

Oral Session 3 S

The University of Oregon Silicon Detector (SiD) Optimization Group is working to improve the design for the SiD electromagnetic (EM) calorimeter for the proposed International Linear Collider (ILC). Through the use of high energy electron-positron collisions, the ILC aims to create low noise events with a high rate of Higgs boson production. The discovery of the Higgs boson was crucial to providing further evidence for the Standard Model, but there is still much to learn about its properties and interactions. In particular, the Higgs boson self-coupling, which helps determine the strength of Higgs boson interactions, remains undiscoverable with current particle collider technology. Using a realistic physics simulation, we can analyze how particle collisions that decay according to the Standard Model interact with the proposed SiD for the ILC. In my research I attempt to reconstruct a certain decay mode of the Higgs boson (decaying to two tau leptons) using simulated detector information in order to make a statement on the energy resolution of the SiD EM calorimeter for the ILC, and thus its potential to further elucidate the Higgs couplings.

Presenter(s): Davis Austin

Faculty Mentor(s): James Brau & Jason Barkeloo

Oral Session 3 S

As it stands for particle physics today our best understanding of how fundamental particles and forces interact is theorized by the Standard Model. Trying to understand some of the failings of the Standard Model is the goal of the International Linear Collider (ILC) and other colliders around the globe. Discerning the properties of the Higgs Boson is an important step towards the goal of an updated Standard Model. Ideally we wish to do this as clearly and as cost effectively as possible. Based around the specifications outlined in the ILC Technical Design Report (TDR)(arXiv:1306.6327 [physics.acc-ph], 2013.) and simulations of high energy electrons in an Electromagnetic (EM) Calorimeter, built from tungsten and silicon detectors, we have compared simulations of many possible configurations for the EM Calorimeter. These include variable depth and sampling frequency. Based on many different EM Calorimeter configurations, we have learned that the resolution of better than two per cent at 100 Gigaelectronvolts (GeV) can be achieved with significant cost savings relative to the TDR design. From this research we have a better understanding on the design optimization of the EM Calorimeter for the ILC and possibly future similar linear colliders.