Introduction to QuarkNet for the Vanderbilt University Center

Vanderbilt UniversityJuly 26, 2010

Introduction to QuarkNet for the Vanderbilt University Center

Ken Cecire

University of Notre Dame

[email protected]


A word from our sponsors…

• Particle physics

• Education reform

• Large Hadron Collider– Highest energy– Coldest too– On the edge of new discoveries

• More cool experiments

Introduction


First LEP, and now LHC, are buried ~100 m below the surface

near the Swiss-French border.

Introduction


We are seeing collision events!

Introduction


Check out the

US /LHC Event of the Week:

http://www.uslhc.us/Teachers_and_Students

Introduction


What is QuarkNet?

• Physicists, teachers and students• Research• Cosmic ray e-Lab• Masterclass• Special workshops• more

Introduction


Our QuarkNet centersUniversities/labs doing particle physics research

2 physicist mentors

10 teachers

5 workshop days each year

Special opportunities

Introduction


Our PI’s and StaffNotre Dame:Randy RuchtiMitch WayneDan KarmgardKen Cecire

Fermilab:Marge BardeenBob Peterson

U. Florida:Tom Jordan(Program Coor.)

U. Washington:Anna GoussiouKris Whelan

Introduction


QuarkNet funding flow

NSF via Notre Dame:

• Teacher stipends

• Center support

• Summer research

• QuarkNet Admin (Anne Zakas)

DOE via Fermilab:

• Cosmic Ray project

• Masterclass

• Special programs

• Fermilab services

This is not as clear-cut as it looks: there are overlapping wave functions.

Introduction


Introduction


0 10 200

500

1000

1500

2000

Time Difference (ns)

Fre

qu

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Difference in Absolute Time

• Cosmic Rays– Sources– Composition, energy spectrum– Detection– Current experiments

• The QuarkNet Classroom Detector– Hardware overview– Classroom use– Experiments, measurements

• Data Analysis– Upload, analyze data & save data products– Share results– Enter logbook notes

Introduction


Introduction


Introduction


CERN/EPPOG Masterclass• Students analyze

real data from CERN• Work with particle

physicists• Web conference

• Full day of particle physics for students and teachers

Introduction


Introduction


Particle Physics is International• The cosmic ray e-Lab in U.S. plus Asia and Europe• Masterclass spans Europe, South and North America

(esp. U.S.); also reaches Japan and South Africa

Introduction




Who Ya Gonna Call? Operators are standing by…

Vanderbilt Mentors:

Med Webster

Will Johns

Paul Sheldon

QuarkNet Staff:

Tom Jordan

Bob Peterson

Kris Whelan

Ken Cecire

Also see: http://quarknet.fnal.gov/staff.shtml

• Tel: 574-631-3343 (O)

• Tel: 757-897-5296 (M)

• E-Mail: [email protected]

Introduction, done.


A look at the MasterclassFrom LEP to LHC


21

What is the Masterclass?• As in a masterclass in the arts, students work with an expert.

• Expert = particle physicist.

• Instead of, say, a violin, the subject is particle physics data analysis.

Masterclass


22

Masterclass Day – sample agendaTIME: ACTIVITY:

8:00-8:30Registration & Welcome

Cloud Chamber Demo

8:30-9:30 Introduction to Particle Physics (Mentor)

9:30-11:00 Tour

11:00-12:00Introduction to Data Analysis

(Teacher)

12:00-13:00 Lunch with a Physicist

13:00-15:00Data Analysis

Results Transmission

15:00-15:30EVO Logon

Questions & Discussion Points Preparation

15:30-16:30 EVO Videoconference

16:30-17:00 Evaluation & Closing

Masterclass


Standard Model• Quarks combine to make

hadrons (protons, neutrons,…)

• Leptons – electron and its heavier cousins – and the small, unseen neutrinos

• Force carriers (the bosons)

• Heavier particles can “decay” into lighter particles.

Masterclass


• What’s that, up in the sky?

• What’s it doing?

• What time is it?

• How do you know?

• Are you sure?

• What does this have to do with particle physics?

Masterclass


Generic Detector Design• Cylinders wrapped around the beam pipe• From inner to outer . . .

• Tracking

• Magnet

• Electromagnetic calorimeter

• Hadronic calorimeter

• Muon chamber

Masterclass



DELPHI at LEP: Our Z LabThe beam particles each had a total energy of 45.5 GeV:

LEP built Z bosons—they promptly decayed. The detectors measured the stuff that came out of the decay.

2 x 45.5 GeV = 91.1 GeV

91.1 GeV is the Z mass.

Masterclass


Z 2 muons

Z 2 electrons

Masterclass


What’s what?

Z 2 electrons

Z 2 muons

Z other stuff

Masterclass


What’s what?

Z 2 electrons

Z 2 muons

Z other stuff

Masterclass


What’s what?

Z 2 electrons

Z 2 muons

Z other stuff

What’s the count?

Masterclass


Next steps for students:

Practice.

Talk with your fellow physicists.

Make teams of two.

Analyze up to 1000 events (as a group).

Report! Rapport! Rejoice! Relax!

Masterclass


What’s new?• LHC Masterclass

• Students look at Z- and W-decays

• Test the new accelerator and detectors

• This is what physicists are doing right now…

Masterclass


The Plan• Express interest/preferences

• Orientation

• Video/audio test

• Prepare students

• Masterclass here in March

• Participate with– Around 20 QN centers

– Hundreds of MC institutes worldwide

– 2 to 4 Institutes on your day

Masterclass, forward

Documents

Introduction to QuarkNet for the Vanderbilt University Center