Andrew Kobach
Northwestern University
All electromagnetic and weak (nuclear decay, etc) phenomena can be described using the following fundamental particles: the photon, W bosons, and Z boson, within a mathematical framework aptly named "electroweak theory". This theory is non-abelian, and for some, this triggers the idea that these particles could interact with each other- and they do! The W-bosons have charge, and they can produce and interact with photons. But a Z boson has no charge, so can it interact with a photon? We attempt to answer this question using data from the DZero experiment at Fermilab. At this talk, you'll learn about the standard model of particle physics, why we collide particles at high energies, how to interpret Feynman diagrams, and whether or not we see any experimental evidence for the interaction between photons and Z bosons.
Wednesday, November 23rd at Noon
Room F235, Technological Institute
