PF4CMSHI · Paricle Flow in Heavy-Ion Collisions with CMS

The proposed research entails the study of the Quark-Gluon Plasma (QGP) which will be created in heavy-ion collisions at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC). We propose to apply particle-flow event reconstruction, a powerful technique shown to improve the capabilities of the CMS (Compact Muon Solenoid) detector in p+p collisions, to heavy-ion collisions for the first time. Using this method, the researcher will study parton energy loss in the QGP by full reconstruction of jets in heavy-ion collisions, a challenging measurement which stands to benefit from the particle-flow methodology. We further propose to improve the electron reconstruction capabilities at low transverse momentum and large occupancy, again using particle flow. Doing so will contribute to the measurement of the Z boson, a first in heavy-ion collisions, as well as the measurement of the Upsilon family of bottomonium states, which are expected to act as a thermometer of the system via their sequential disassociation with temperature. Finally, the researcher will devise measurement strategies for upcoming high-luminosity data-taking by designing and testing triggering algorithms for jets and electrons in heavy-ion collisions.The applicant is an experienced researcher stationed at CERN for the last year. His previous research was carried out in the U.S. at the RHIC facility. He seeks to further integrate into the European scientific community through a fellowship at one of the premier institutes for nuclear and particle physics research, the Laboratoire Leprince Ringuet. This fellowship will serve to reinforce the CMS heavy-ion program, increasing European excellence by providing a complimentary and competing effort to the ALICE experiment. Further, the fellowship will serve to strengthen European participation in the CMS heavy-ion program, which is currently dominated by non-European institutes.