Particle Physics Experiments (PPE)

My PhD research is with the Particle Physics Experiments (PPE) group of the University of Edinburgh, specifically working on the 'LHCb' detector based at CERN's Large Hadron Collider.

The research tackles a spectrum of topics, but my first year has mostly been focused on the hardware and components that make up a subdetector within the LHCb called the 'RICH', ensuring it works as it should. My project goals are to: 1.) Complete an analysis of the RICH to provide an efficiency profile for it.

2.) To complete a particle mass measurement (future work). 3.) To help test hardware which may be used for a future upgrade of our detector.

The methodology in place can vary depending on the topic at hand, but much of my research is reliant on an ability to programme. I use programming to perform statistical analyses on large datasets which describe the detectors condition. The main programming languages I use for this are Python and C++.

Some potential applications of my research lay in the future use of specialised light detection devices called photon detectors. These see use in many particle physics experiments around the world and in industry, allowing for tiny particles of light to detected.