The mission of the Theory Group at KVI is to understand subatomic and atomic physics at a fundamental theoretical level.Investigations of the properties of the fundamental forces in Nature at the smallest distance scales is done within the framework of the microscopic theory of the strong and electroweak interactions, the so-called Standard Model of particle physics. The KVI Theory Group pursues this research with present-day and future experiments in mind, both for high-energy and high-precision experiments, and also studies the broader implications for the Quantum Universe we live in.
The KVI Theory Group has close ties with other theoretical physics groups internationally and within the Netherlands especially through participation in the FOM network Theoretical High-Energy Physics, a FOM program Theoretical Particle Physics in the Era of the LHC, and the Dutch Research School of Theoretical Physics (DRSTP). In Groningen there are common activities with the Centre for Theoretical Physics (CTN) of the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences (FWN) and the Kapteyn Institute, in the context of the Quantum Universe 'zwaartepunt'. The members of the group teach bachelor and master courses at the faculty FWN.
The topics that are presently studied by the KVI Theory Group can be globally divided in two main themes:
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Fundamental interactions and symmetries. Physics beyond the Standard Model of particle physics is expected to appear at high energies. Searches for breaking of symmetries is a promising way to look for deviations of the Standard Model predictions. Using the methods of Effective Field Theory studies of parity and time-reversal violation (specifically, electric dipole moments) in atoms and nuclei and nuclear beta-decay are performed. Recently these studies have been extended to Lorentz symmetry violation, which is also being studied experimentally at KVI. Other methods, such as calculating scattering observables at particle colliders, are also used to gain insight in the Standard Model, in particular Quantum Chromodynamics and hadronic physics, and what may lie beyond. Relevant experiments for these studies range from the electron-positron annihilation experiments BES and BELLE, to the proton-antiproton collisions at GSI and the proton-proton collisions at LHC.
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Astroparticle physics. Originally the focus of this theme was on neutron stars and neutron and/or quark matter. Currently this theme is focused on ultra high-energy cosmic rays and cosmic neutrinos. Simulating air showers, participation in the Pierre Auger experiment, and exploiting the Westerbork telescope are the main activities of this theme at present.
The KVI Theory Group welcomes students who are interested to do a research project in these and related areas, either for their Bachelor's or for their Master's thesis.
