STFC Particle Physics

Have you ever wondered about what working in a world-class science organization looks like? Do you want to know if the vast world of particle physics is the right career for you?🧑‍🔬 Here’s what excites our staff about studying the fundamental constituents of nature! ⚛️💫

PhD studentships now open at PPD! Join the UK’s center for experimental physics, conducting research in world-class facilities. We have projects for physics undergrads from Queen Mary's UoL, Bristol, Manchester, Oxford, UCL and Royal Holloway ⏩ bit.ly/3ZCyGvB

PPD hosted a variety of activities for visiting schools, universities, and teacher groups throughout the year. Guests were able to tour PPD facilities, attend engaging particle physics lectures, and explore our visitors' center. Our masterclass is a great example!

Over 10,000 people came to Rutherford Appleton Laboratory for #HarwellOpenDay. Dynamic displays, interactive activities and our helpful volunteers guided the public through the fascinating world of particle physics.

At PPD, collaboration with the wider HEP community are very important. From open days and educational school visits to presentations at conferences, PPD actively participates in a variety of HEP community events. This #HEPhighlights post showcases the largest of these efforts.

The World Wide Web is an example of a ground-breaking invention that stemmed from particle physics, originally invented to help @CERN members exchange data more easily? Check out this article which explores its origins and @RAL's early adoption⏩ bit.ly/4iLZUbK

To prepare for the high HL-LHC data influx, GridPP organises data challenges for computing centers to stress test their infrastructure. This year it simulated 25% of HL-LHC data. RAL was very successful in this challenge, achieving 2 - 3 times throughput than ever before.

In 2024, LHCb collected more data than in the previous decade! PPD is advancing R&D for RICH 1 & 2 and the Mighty Tracker ahead of LHCb’s 2034 upgrade. Efforts include SiPM optimization, sensor testing, and MightyPix construction for precise tracking in HL-LHC conditions.

Having looked at experimental results, we turn our attention to the experiments themselves. Follow this thread, to see what PPD has been doing this past year to advance experiments in preparation for the HL-LHC. #HEPHighlights

Substantial progress toward DUNE in 2024 included completing the 3-year excavation at SURF for the four far detectors and ProtoDUNE II concluding its second run. RAL contributed to the upgraded DAQ system, recording millions of neutrino events with exceptional stability

Reflecting on a great year for the LHC: it explored unknown parameter space and performed precise measurements to verify the SM. CMS ECAL group, including RAL, applied machine learning to detect anomalies in real time, boosting accuracy and efficiency - bit.ly/cmsAI

For this thread of #HEPHighlights, we look back upon a great year of physics results within all domains of particle physics. This thread will look at impactful experimental results, of which PPD has substantially contributed.

These record breaking values are thanks to performance enhancements throughout the year, rapid solutions to setbacks and installation of upgrades during 2023.

In 2024, CERN has reported the highest production rate ever for their proton - proton collisions! The year will end on a high note, with integrated luminosity surpassing its high expectations for all experiments. For example, @CMSExperiment (shown below)

What a year it has been for #physics @CERN! Lets kick off the #HEPhighlights campaign with a detailed look into the LHC's productive 2024 run.