The Particle Physics Division
DPhP

The core of DPhP's activities is the understanding of the energy content and dynamics of the Universe at the fundamental level, by acquiring the appropriate experimental means, in synergy with the other Irfu’s departments, and in concert with the international scientific strategy. 
In particle physics, the established theoretical basis is the Standard Model of Particle Physics (SM). Extremely robust and predictive, it nevertheless leaves many exciting open questions that the department is addressing from three angles: 

  • Testing the internal consistency of the MS by precision measurements at the LHC (ATLAS and CMS), and in the future at the HL-LHC, and then at the collider that will take over (FCC, ILC or muon collider); 
  • Testing the fundamental symmetries of the MS by studying neutrinos in long (T2K, HyperKamiokande or DUNE) or short (Double Chooz) baseline oscillation experiments, or with beta decays (KATRIN) or neutrinoless double beta decays (CUPID, BINGO), or with coherent neutrino scattering on nuclei (NUCLEUS), or by studying the fall of antimatter (GBAR); 
  • Filling the gaps in the MS by probing the Universe with the different messengers at our disposal: studying dark energy (DESI), dark matter (H.E.S.S., CTA), gravitational waves (LISA), cosmic neutrinos (ANTARES), or hypothetical axions (GLEAD). 

To do this, the DPhP takes part in the development of detectors within projects, but also in more prospective R&D programs, for example in 5D calorimetry (BoldPET, ClearMind) or in muon tomography (ScanPyramids) which have direct societal applications.

 

   Access to DPhP's website :     http://irfu.cea.fr/dphp/en/index.php

 

Head of the Particle Physics Division: Nathalie Besson

Deputy-head: Georges Vasseur

Secretary : Martine Oger

 
#537 - Last update : 12/22 2022
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CP violation (SPP) : In 1964, an asymmetry between matter and anti-matter was discovered in a special context which allows for very accurate measurements. This fi nding is still providing questions and constraints on models. Indeed, it is related to the entire universe (without it, matter and anti-matter would have annihilated at the Big Bang!), and to the microscopic structure (in the Standard Model, it stems from the presence of 3 families of similar particles).
Experimental Physics Above All : DPhP physicists are experimentalists. While designing experiments, they evaluate theoretical ideas, sometimes contribute directly to them, and confront them to the technical possibilities for testing. Then they participate to the detailed design of the detectors, their construction, and operation. Finally, they analyze the experimental data and compare it to the theoretical models considered. The strong link between physicists and technical support in the Institute is an essential asset.
The great questions in particle physics and cosmology : The great questions in particle physics and cosmology   The physicists at the Particle Physics Division are tackling some of the deepest questions in modern particle physics and cosmology.
The Scientific Themes of DPhP : DPhP physicists are involved in a dozen international experiments.

 

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