1. Cosmology and Particle Physics in a Single Experiment
David Toback
Texas A&M University
Physics 102
January 2013
October 2011
David Toback, Texas A&M University
Research Topics Seminar

2. David Toback, Texas A&M University
Outline
Cosmology and Particle Physics
Dark Matter
Evolution of the Universe
Particle Physics and the Large Hadron Collider (LHC)
Can we discover Dark Matter with giant accelerators like the LHC as a way of learning about our Universe?
David Toback, Texas A&M University

3. What is some of the evidence for Dark matter?
September 2012
David Toback, Texas A&M University
Research Topics Seminar

4. As the Solar System Turns
Gravity and General Relativity
David Toback, Texas A&M University

5. Is that what our galaxy, the Milky Way, looks like?
Do the stars orbit like the planets in our solar system?
Outer stars go around much more slowly?
David Toback, Texas A&M University

6. David Toback, Texas A&M University
As the Galaxy Turns
David Toback, Texas A&M University

7. Lots of Dark Matter out there!
No clue what this stuff is…
What’s the Matter in the Universe?
David Toback, Texas A&M University

8. David Toback, Texas A&M University
The Known Particles
No known particles have the properties of Dark Matter
Other credible reasons to believe there are new fundamental particles to be discovered
Maybe Dark Matter is a New Particle!
David Toback, Texas A&M University

9. Dark Matter = New Particle?
Make a Hypothesis based on Astronomy, Cosmology and Particle Physics
Hypothesis:The Dark Matter in the Universe is made up of LOTS of particles that we haven’t discovered yet!
Best Guess: Got created in the Early Universe like everything else and is still here today!
Then Universe gets bigger
Big Bang!
High energy collisions between particles in the early Universe If they created Dark Matter, maybe we can also in an experiment!
Dark Matter = New Particle?
October 2011
David Toback, Texas A&M University
Research Topics Seminar

10. Particle Physics
How might Giant Particle Accelerators Help us Answer The Dark Matter Question?
Tevatron at
Fermilab
Large Hadron Collider (LHC)
at CERN
October 2011
David Toback, Texas A&M University
Research Topics Seminar

11. Can we Make and Discover Dark Matter?
High energy collisions between particles in the Early Universe
Recreate the conditions like they were RIGHT AFTER the Big Bang
If we can produce Dark Matter in a collision then we can STUDY it
David Toback, Texas A&M University

12. High Energy Collisions  New particles Tevatron ≈10 ps after the Big Bang LHC  ≈1 ps after the Big Bang
Detector
Dark Matter Particle
Proton
Anti-Proton
Ok… Its more complicated than this since Dark Matter Particles don’t easily interact with detectors…
Nor do we usually produce them directly
Dark Matter Particle
October 2011
David Toback, Texas A&M University
Research Topics Seminar

13. Example Detector
Surround the collision point with a detector and look at the stuff pops out after a collision as it interacts with the various components
10 Meters
Tall!
30 Meters
Long!
Powerful multi-purpose detector
Really Big with LOTS of cool electronics and other toys!
David Toback, Texas A&M University

14. Where in the world is the LHC?
France
Geneva
Switzerland
Jura Mountains
Actually… It’s down here
100 yards
Underground!
The accelerator
October 2011
David Toback, Texas A&M University
Research Topics Seminar

15. Another view of the LHC Lake Leman Geneva Airport p p
27 km in Circumference!
One of the largest and
the most complex scientific
instrument ever conceived &
built by humankind
Lake Leman
Geneva Airport
Collides high
energy protons
Two huge detectors
CMS p p
ATLAS
October 2011
David Toback, Texas A&M University
Research Topics Seminar

16. What does it DO?
Accelerates protons to REALLY high energies, then bashes them together

17. High Energy Collisions
So… The LHC makes really high energy collisions that might produce Dark Matter so we can discover it
LHC is creating the conditions like they were RIGHT AFTER the Big Bang
Can study Cosmology, Particle Physics and Astronomy with one experiment!
David Toback, Texas A&M University

18. Other Exciting Possibilities
May be able to discover Supersymmetry
Have we discovered the Higgs Boson?
One of the many Higgs bosons?
Explain why there is more matter than anti-matter in the Universe
Hint for Extra Dimensions or String Theory?
David Toback, Texas A&M University

19. David Toback, Texas A&M University Research Topics Seminar
Conclusions
It’s an incredibly exciting time to be a scientist!
Astronomy, Cosmology and Particle Physics are all coming together!
Starting to understand the Big Bang and Dark Matter!
If our understanding is correct, a major discovery may be just around the corner at the LHC!
Wanna join us?
We need your help!
September 2012
David Toback, Texas A&M University
Research Topics Seminar

20. David Toback, Texas A&M University
Abstract
Physicists have entered a golden age of science. We are starting to be able to answer some of the most exciting questions ever asked, including questions that touch on the Big Bang, the fundamental building blocks of nature, and the Dark Matter that fills the Universe. There is good reason to believe that by using the world’s highest energy particle accelerators we can discover how the biggest things in the Universe (like the Universe itself) and the smallest things (like quarks and electrons) are inextricably linked at the most fundamental levels. Perhaps a new fundamental particle is just around the corner to be discovered.
David Toback, Texas A&M University