Federal Project Grant Award Summary

Cornell University's Department of Physics received $1.15M in funding from the National Science Foundation (NSF) Division of Physics under the Mathematical and Physical Sciences program (CFDA 47.049) for the period August 1, 2026 through July 31, 2027. The award supports energy frontier physics research utilizing data from proton-proton collisions at CERN's Large Hadron Collider (LHC) through the Compact Muon Solenoid (CMS) experiment. Key research activities include analysis of Higgs boson properties—specifically the H→Zγ decay channel and di-Higgs production in the bbγγ channel—and searches for physics beyond the Standard Model targeting long-lived particles with displaced vertices. The research leverages artificial intelligence and machine learning techniques to extract maximum scientific value from the experimental data.

Cornell's experimental particle physics group is leading NSF-funded upgrades to the CMS detector infrastructure in preparation for the LHC upgrade to higher-intensity proton-proton collisions and increased data rates. The group directs construction and implementation of the Forward Pixel Detector, which extends tracking coverage in the forward detector region, and the Track Trigger system, which will provide real-time tracking information from all proton-proton collisions at 40 MHz. The project provides comprehensive training in advanced data analysis and detector development techniques for both graduate and undergraduate students. No sub-awards are planned under this grant.