This Project Grant from the National Science Foundation supports the development of machine learning tools and outreach programs related to the ATLAS experiment at CERN's Large Hadron Collider. Awarded $200,000 on July 15, 2022 and set to be completed by June 30, 2025, the funding is provided under the NSF's Mathematical and Physical Sciences program (CFDA 47.049).
Specifically, the award to Westmont College will develop novel triggers using machine learning techniques to improve the selectivity of the ATLAS detector for detecting new physics beyond the Standard Model in Higgs decays to two photons and other channels. Students supported by this Research in Undergraduate Institutions award will directly analyze LHC data and learn new machine learning techniques. They will also create outreach programs with local high schools to promote progress in the mathematical and physical sciences.