11/01/2007

Research centres and universities from Europe, Russia, Japan and the USA are collaborating in the field of particle physics phenomenology as part of the HEPTOOLS "Tools and Precision Calculations for Physics Discoveries at Colliders Network which is being coordinated by the Institute of Nuclear Physics of the National Centre for Scientific Research DEMOCRITUS. This project has a total budget of EUR 4 million, co-financed by the FP6?s Marie Curie Actions, and covers 16 research centres and 47 universities around the world.

Theoretical particle physics seeks to explore and understand the structure of particles in nature and their interactions. The experiments planned at international level in the 21st century (Large Hadron Collider (LHC-CERN) and International Linear Collider (ILC)) are expected to provide answers to questions such as the origin of mass, the possible unification of all known interactions including gravity, and matter-antimatter asymmetry observed in the universe.

The HEPTOOLS network deals with particle physics phenomenology which relates to (a) identifying accurate and reliable theoretical projections to utilise experimental data, and (b) feedback from theoretical processes to generate new knowledge. In particular, the network will focus on three fields: Developing composite tools to precisely calculate long and/or repetitive processes, Precise calculations for the LHC and ILC experiments done using tools developed within and outside the network, and Methods to discover new phenomena and to identify particles and their interactions.

As part of the project, training courses will be carried out for young researchers at doctoral and post-doctoral level, as well as specialised seminars, and knowledge and know-how transfer actions between the organisations involved, etc.

More information:
National Centre for Scientific Research DEMOCRITUS
Institute of Nuclear Physics
Dr Costas Papadopoulos
Tel.: 210 6503438
E-mail: costas.papadopoulos@cern.ch
http://www.cern.ch/heptools

Source: Institute of Nuclear Physics, NSCR DEMOCRITUS