28-06-2012: PhD defense Nicole Ruckstuhl @ UvA

28 juni 2012

Promotiebericht
Nikhef, 13-06-2012

Muon signatures in ATLAS 
A search for new physics in µ± µ±
 events 

Nicole Ruckstuhl, promovenda aan het Nikhef, verdedigt haar proefschrift donderdag 28 juni 2012 aan de Universiteit van Amsterdam.

The Standard Model describes the properties of all known elementary particles. One of the main questions in high energy physics is whether additional heavy particles exist, such as predicted by possible extensions to the Standard Model. In this thesis I studied high-energy proton-proton collisions at the LHC using the ATLAS detector in search of evidence for such new particles. Specifically I looked at the production of muons. Many theoretical models for new physics predict an enhanced rate of collisions with, among other particles, two muons of equal charge created directly at the collision spot. 
I studied the performance of ATLAS to reconstruct muon tracks and developed methods to separate muon signatures depending on whether the muon was produced at the interaction spot or in the decay of a longer lived particles. Using these methods I determined the collision rate (cross-section) of events with two same-sign muons created at the collision spot and compared this rate with the theoretical expectations from the Standard Model. No significant deviation was found. These results can be used to exclude part the proposed extensions to the Standard Model. 
 

Nicole Ruckstuhl:
Muon signatures in ATLAS 
A search for new physics in 
µ± µ± events  (pdf)

De promotie vindt plaats op donderdag 28 juni, om 16.00 in de Agnietenkapel van de Universiteit van Amsterdam.

Promotor: Prof. dr. S.C.M. Bentvelsen
Co-Promoter: Dr. I. van Vulpen

Contact: Nicole Ruckstuhl