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ATLAS Experiment

Contribution to the ATLAS Detector

The ATLAS detector is comprised of five large sub-detectors: the inner tracker or iTk, the LAr Calorimeter, the Tile Calorimeter, the Muon system and the Trigger and Data acquisition system. South Africa contributes to the maintenance, operations and upgrade of the iTk and Tile Calorimeters. South Africa is represented at the Institutional Boards, where decisions are made collectively with other universities and research institutions from all over the world. SA-ATLAS also contributes to a range of physics topics through data analysis.

SA-ATLAS
Principle Investigators

SA-ATLAS group plays a crucial role in both the operational and scientific dimensions of the ATLAS experiment at CERN. Their contributions are focused on the maintenance, upgrade, and data analysis related to the ATLAS detector, one of the largest and most sophisticated pieces of experimental equipment in particle physics. South Africa’s involvement with ATLAS spans from technical contributions in key areas of the detector to the training and development of students and researchers in high-demand technological fields.

How does SA-ATLAS contribute to the upgrade and maintenance of the ATLAS detector, specifically in relation to the Inner Tracker (iTk) and Tile Calorimeter?

SA-ATLAS is directly involved in the upgrade and operational activities of two significant sub-detectors of ATLAS: the Inner Tracker (iTk) and the Tile Calorimeter (TileCal). These contributions are essential as the ATLAS detector undergoes upgrades in preparation for the increased luminosity expected from the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) during its Long Shutdown 3 period (mid-to-late 2020s).

For the Inner Tracker (iTk), South Africa has delivered:

  • Polymoderators for neutron absorption, a critical technology for protecting detector components from radiation.
  • Novel Radiation Fibre Optic-Based Hard Humidity Sensing Technology, which helps in maintaining optimal operating conditions in the detector.
  • Crucial Readout Electronics Cards that are essential for data collection during collisions.

For the Tile Calorimeter (TileCal), South Africa’s contributions include:

  • Low Voltage Power Supplies for the on-detector readout electronics, ensuring reliable power for data acquisition systems.
  • Pre-Processor for the Off-Detector Readout Electronics, which processes the data collected by the detector for analysis.

SA-ATLAS addresses these gaps using a two-pronged approach
Testing the Standard Model through measurements of rare processes.
Searching for new particles and forms of matter through direct observation and advanced data techniques.
What is the impact of SA-ATLAS on student training and skill development in South Africa?

One of the key pillars of SA-ATLAS’s vision is to expand its capacity for training and supervising students in high-tech fields. Through its involvement in the ATLAS project, SA-ATLAS provides students with world-class training in a multi-disciplinary environment. These students acquire valuable skills in areas like software development, instrumentation, electronics, and advanced technologies such as Big Data and Artificial Intelligence (AI).

The impact of this training is reflected in the achievements of SA-ATLAS students. In the past five years alone, students have won over 25 awards at the South African Institute of Physics conferences across various fields. Additionally, graduates of the program are highly sought after in both local and international industries, ensuring full employment after completing their studies. Prestigious accolades such as the ATLAS Student Fellowship Award and the SAINTS Fellowship have been awarded to SA-ATLAS students, further highlighting the group’s excellence in training and capacity development.

SA-ATLAS’s contributions also extend to academic staff. Two of its members have been finalists in the NSTF Awards on four occasions, and several members and students participate in full-time training and key technology activities at ATLAS annually, ensuring ongoing expertise development in the most advanced technologies.

How does SA-ATLAS contribute to advancing the understanding of fundamental physics, particularly in areas where the Standard Model falls short?

Beyond its technical contributions, SA-ATLAS plays a vital role in data analysis, focusing on advancing knowledge in particle physics where the Standard Model does not provide complete answers. While the Standard Model has successfully explained many scattering processes observed in colliders, it falls short in addressing key phenomena such as:

  • The origin of mass for neutrinos,
  • The nature of dark energy and dark matter,
  • Other mysteries of the universe that lie beyond the reach of current theories.

The SA-ATLAS group is engaged in a number of high-priority physics topics:

  • Measurement of Rare Standard Model Processes in multi-lepton final states, which can reveal subtle effects and deviations from expected behavior.
  • Searches for Hidden Sectors through light gauge bosons, exploring new forces or particles not predicted by the Standard Model.
  • Searches for New Bosons in events involving lepton and photon final states, potentially uncovering new particles linked to uncharted forces.
  • Searches for Dark Matter using machine learning techniques and jet substructure analysis to identify unusual event topologies that could signal the existence of dark matter.

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