Final Report Summary - TERAUNIVERSE (Exploring the Terauniverse with the LHC, Astrophysics and Cosmology)
The Standard Model of particle physics is in very good agreement with the data from particle experiments at energies below the Terascale, and standard Big Bang cosmology is also very successful. However, there are many issues not resolved by these Standard Models that may be resolved by physics at the Terascale. These include the overall scale of elementary particle masses, the origin of matter, the nature of astrophysical dark matter, and the overall size of the Universe. The first run of the LHC discovered the Higgs boson, and theoretical and experimental effort is now being directed to studying its properties with a view to understanding its mass scale. Ideas for fixing its scale include additional dimensions of space and supersymmetry, a concept that would link particles of matter and those capable of carrying forces between them. Many of these scenarios include mechanisms for generating the matter in the Universe or candidates for dark matter, and project participants have been active in proposing and exploring these and other scenarios for possible new Terascale physics. Particular attention has been paid to supersymmetric models of dark matter, and how to combine LHC and direct dark matter searches.
Another area of activity has been the construction of models for cosmological inflation based on supersymmetry, string theory and quantum gravity. The LHC is the first accelerator to explore the Terascale, and the world-wide particle physics community is discussing how to continue continue the exploration of Terascale physics. Project members have been making proposals for possible new accelerators and exploring their capabilities for revealing new physics.
Another area of activity has been the construction of models for cosmological inflation based on supersymmetry, string theory and quantum gravity. The LHC is the first accelerator to explore the Terascale, and the world-wide particle physics community is discussing how to continue continue the exploration of Terascale physics. Project members have been making proposals for possible new accelerators and exploring their capabilities for revealing new physics.