Jul 14, 2021
Federal funding for Dresden projects in particle physics
The German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) is providing 2.4 million Euros for research groups at the Institute for Nuclear and Particle Physics at TU Dresden. The project funds will support the operation of the ATLAS experiment at the European center for particle physics, CERN in Geneva, until mid-2024, as well as the analysis of the data obtained. There is also funding for nationwide science communication activities related to particle physics.
"The continued funding of our basic research makes us very happy," says Dr. Frank Siegert. His research group studies two very different interactions of particles: both the strong and weak nuclear forces and their phenomena, which can be described in the Standard Model of particle physics. "With measurements at the ATLAS detector, we can investigate whether the predictions of the Standard Model are really true, and thus better understand or shake the most fundamental theory of our world." From measurements with data from previous years, the researchers have already been able to detect extremely rare processes, so far always in agreement with the Standard Model. Dresden physicists are currently involved in preparing the ATLAS detector for the next measurement period and will be on site at CERN when data taking begins in the spring of next year. It holds potential for discoveries like the one in 2012 when the newest elementary particle, the Higgs boson, was detected for the first time.
BMBF funding is also available for the KONTAKT2 project to support activities in the "Netzwerk Teilchenwelt." 29 German research institutions are involved in this project, which is led at the Institute of Nuclear and Particle Physics by Dr. Uta Bilow and Prof. Dr. Michael Kobel. It is all about particle physics to participate in: High school students, teachers and the general public can learn more about and participate in research on the structure and formation of our universe. "High school students work with original data from CERN experiments on project days and experience for themselves how discoveries are made in the research field," says Dr. Uta Bilow. "These Masterclasses take place regularly at schools throughout Germany or online, so young people can participate on their home PCs." Interested students visit CERN or are supported in carrying out their own research projects. In addition, an interactive mobile exhibition on particle physics is to tour Germany as part of KONTAKT2, creating opportunities to encounter research in marketplaces or shopping malls.
Further information:
Arbeitsgruppe Teilchenphysik
Arbeitsgruppe Experimentelle Teilchenphysik
Arbeitsgruppe Wissenschaftsvermittlung
Video Netzwerk Teilchenwelt
Contact:
Dr. Frank Siegert
Tel.: 0351 463 33700