Research Pursuits •  Neutrino Physics •  Electroweak Physics •  Supersymmetry •  Quantum Chromodynamics (QCD) and Hadron Physics •  Hadron Bound States and Heavy Flavor Physics •  String Theory and Extra Dimensions

Researchers at the Phenomenology Institute pursue a broad range of research in particle physics theory and phenomenology. This work includes collider physics (in particular the search for the Higgs boson, supersymmetry and other new particles), strong interaction dynamics, neutrino physics, astroparticle physics, the study of dark matter in the universe, cosmology, and other theoretical issues beyond the standard model.

A hallmark of the Wisconsin particle phenomenology effort is the close interaction with experimental groups worldwide. The group has made many suggestions for probing models of particle interactions with existing and future experiments and has provided the field theory calculations which connect experimental results with the underlying theory description. These efforts have made the group a national leader in particle physics phenomenology, especially in the areas of collider and neutrino physics.

With the turn-on of the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) in 2007, collider physics phenomenology will become the central area of particle theory. The LHC is the first machine to reach the required energies to systematically investigate electroweak symmetry breaking, to probe supersymmetry at the mass scales where superpartners are most likely to be found, or to open the door to the unexpected, like the conjectured existence of extra dimensions. Researchers in the group are now preparing the theoretical tools to investigate these exciting possibilities and expect to have a major impact on the physics of the LHC era.

Beyond collider physics, a new thrust of the group is the investigation of dark matter, the cosmic microwave background, cosmology, gravitational interactions, and physics with extra dimensions. Members of the group have already made highly visible contributions in these areas, and the nature of the physics involved is a natural extension of our general phenomenology research. General funding for the Phenomenology Institute is obtained from the US Department of Energy.