PHYSTEV · Physics at TeV colliders, tools and the dark matter connection

Final Activity Report Summary - PHYSTEV (Physics at TeV colliders, tools and the dark matter connection)

The Large hadron collider (LHC) at CERN Geneva has started taking data in 2009. The first goal of this major European project was the elucidation of the mechanism of symmetry breaking through the search of the Higgs particle. The Higgs particle is the missing link in the successful standard model description of high energy physics. Besides there are numerous theoretical arguments that hint to new physics in extensions of the standard model so that a wealth of signals are expected at the LHC. Another major objective of the LHC was the production of a new dark matter particle. Indeed recent cosmological measurements show evidence that most of the matter in the Universe is dark. This dark matter cannot be composed of the particles we know now. Both the symmetry breaking and dark matter problems point towards extensions of the standard model featuring a rich phenomenology such as supersymmetry or extra dimensions. The aim of the PHYSTEV project was to prepare young researchers for analyses of the LHC results. In particular to renew our approach to searches for the Higgs and the new physics at the LHC, get acquainted with the new theoretical models and be equipped with all the tools and software to conduct analyses to extract the new signals. To unravel any signature from beyond the standard model it is important to control all the predictions of the current theory. This calls for the development of sophisticated standard model codes, in particular those dealing with multiparticle final states. Combining new ideas for performing these calculations based on some very formal theoretical construct borrowed from string theory and twistor space with the improved standard techniques will allow constructing new powerful Monte Carlo generators. To maximise the physics output of the LHC one needs to provide the most efficient tools and software both for the standard model calculations and the new physics predictions. This requires gathering theorists with the experimentalists, especially young physicists, who will be exploiting these tools. The training aspect of the project was truly original. The driver events, held in the first and third year, were the culminating point of what should be considered as a continuous collaborative and training process over the duration of the project. These events were forums that brought together physicists in a secluded location over a period of three weeks. A series of lectures alternate with small group meetings and discussions with ample time to carrying specific projects. Intergroup and larger group meetings were set-up as the need arises. The driver events meetings involved both theorists and experimentalists working on standard model as well as on extensions of the standard model. Although one of the ultimate aims of the project was to furnish computer tools to be used for physics analyses at the LHC, the emphasis was also on the physics analyses and the confrontation of new ideas. The other two events took place at one-year interval form the driver events. They were comparatively smaller in both duration and scope but with a more focused aim. They were dedicated to a review of tools, monitoring the progress made since the driver events and giving new directions both for theory and the experimentalists needs. Some emphasis was put on the 'new physics' tools including those dealing with dark matter to make a connection with the astrophysics community. Altogether the events gather over 350 physicists, roughly half of them young researchers. Furthermore the project events attracted several internationally known senior participants and keynote speakers as well as senior representative of the major ongoing experiments at Tevatron and at the LHC. One of the measures of the success of the project is the impact the workshops had on preparing for physics analyses at the LHC. One of the main achievements in this respect was the new proposals for 'les houches accords' that aim at standardising the interface between different computer codes.

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