The Compact Muon Solenoid detector is one of two general purpose experiments at the LHC. It has a broad programme of physics including direct searches for the Higgs boson, Supersymmetric particles and other new phenomena. The CMS detector is built around a high-field solenoid magnet which allows precision measurements to be made in a relatively compact space. CMS concentrates on accurate measurement of muon momentum together with high precision electromagnetic calorimetry to reconstruct the energy and direction of both electrons and photons.
In the Bristol CMS group we are conducting searches for several possible types of new particle, including new force-carrying gauge bosons and messengers from hidden physics sectors. We have an expanding effort looking for signs of Supersymmetry, and we are developing new techniques to see if the Higgs boson has exotic properties. We are also carefully measuring the production of top quarks to check theoretical models and look for hints of new physics.
We were involved with the design and construction of the electromagnetic calorimeter and the first level trigger for CMS, as well as the Grid software that is essential for managing, distributing and processing the vast quantity of data produced by the detector. We are actively studying and planning for future upgrades of the trigger and the tracking detector to cope with the increases in the LHC performance over a ten-year timescale.
Top pair production candidate: muon + 4 jets + missing transverse energy
CMS detector
CMS tracker
