Charged particle reconstruction optimization
Yury Kolomensky, Professor
Physics
Closed. This professor is continuing with Fall 2023 apprentices on this project; no new apprentices needed for Spring 2024.
Mu2e is a medium-scale Particle Physics experiment currently under construction at Fermi National Lab, with UCB and Lawrence Berkeley National Lab as collaborating institutions. Mu2e will search for the ultra-rare process whereby a muon particle converts directly into an electron, without the emission of any neutrinos. Though not forbidden by the Standard Model of particle physics, this process has never been observed, despite nearly 80 years of attempts. Mu2e will employ the world's most intense muon beam to increase the search sensitivity by nearly 4 orders of magnitude over previous efforts, potentially opening a new window on particle physics. Mu2e is scheduled to begin commissioning with cosmic rays in 2024, with the first muon beam physics run starting in 2026. For more information about Mu2e see https://mu2e.fnal.gov/.
The Berkeley Mu2e team is responsible for several key aspects of the tracker, a precision detector that will measure particle momenta with the highest precision achieved to date, in the relevant range. Precise momentum measurement is central for the Mu2e discovery program.
Role: This project involves optimizing the algorithm used to interpret calibrated tracker data as a ‘track’, ie a charged particle passing through the detector. The student will explore the algorithm parameter space using machine learning and other techniques to obtain the best particle momentum reconstruction precision and efficiency. The student will need basic computer programming skills, with experience in C++ and machine learning algorithm training a plus.
The Berkeley Mu2e group consists of Senior Scientist David Brown, professor Yury Kolomensky, Staff Scientist Richie Bonventre, Research Scientist Vivek Singh, a postdoc, and a number of students. Student researchers will be expected to meet regularly with senior researchers, as well as work independently and/or with each other. Meetings can be through zoom or (preferably) in person at Lawrence Berkeley Lab, which is reachable from UCB via a dedicated shuttle line.
Qualifications: Physics, Engineering Physics, or Computer Science majors preferred; basic computer programming skills, with experience in C++ and machine learning algorithm training a plus.
Day-to-day supervisor for this project: David Brown, Staff Researcher
Hours: 6-8 hrs
Off-Campus Research Site: Lawrence Berkeley National Lab, 1 Cyclotron Rd, Berkeley, CA
Related website: http://
Mathematical and Physical Sciences