Particle Physics Phenomenology

Abstract

Our group has been working for more than 25 years in the field of Theoretical Elementary Particle Physics. In particular, we have analyzed several aspects of the electroweak and strong interactions within the framework of the Standard Model (SM), as well as the phenomenological consequences of its possible extensions. Moreover, we also work on neutrino physics and building theories beyond the SM, including particle physics models of dark matter. Therefore, we cover a wide range of topics from basic theory all the way to experimental signals at various facilities, like the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) at CERN and the various neutrino and dark matter experiments. The goal of this proposal is to obtain support to maintain our research projects which include: 1. extensions of the standard model: We study the properties and phenomenological consequences of extensions of the standard model, such as theories with strongly coupled electroweak sec- tors, extra dimensions or super symmetry. We build models that address several of the shortcomings of the standard model, and consider the phenomenological consequences of these and other extensions of the standard model. We expect to concentrate on scenarios that are currently experimentally tested at facilities such as the Large Hadron Collider at CERN, which will be our guide for both model building and phenomenology. 2. collider physics: We study many aspects of collider physics, focusing our efforts on the CERN Large Hadron Collider. For instance, we analyze the production and decay of new particles predicted by alternative models, and alternatively probing the standard model interactions using effective theories. 3. neutrino physics: In the area of neutrino physics we will continue to searching for answers for the remaining questions: the nature of the neutrinos, the values of fundamental parameters of the neutrinos sector in the SM, and the possibility of new physics in their interactions We hope that these studies, coupled to the wealth of experimental data that will be produced in the near future, will shed some light on the secrets of how the lepton sector is organized and on possible connections with the quark sector. Ultimately the neutrino sector which already requires physics beyond the standard model due the presence of neutrino masses, could be a window into dynamics at energies much higher than the ones probed at accelerators. 4. dark matter: We also study theoretical and phenomenological aspects of dark matter phy- sics by building and/or studying particle physics models containing dark matter candidates. We study the properties and signals of dark matter in experiments attempting its direct detection (Lux, Xenon1T, DarkSide, ...), its indirect signals through annihilation and or decay (cosmic ray experiments, CTA, ...) and finally its manifestations in accelerators such as the LHC. Dark matter model building phenomenology provides a direct link between Particle Physics on one side and Cosmology and Astrophysics on the other, something already present in neutrino physics. (AU)