Tracker Upgrade for the CMS Experiment

An image of the CMS detector at CERN.

Help build a part of the CMS experiment for the CERN upgrade. 

Project is Not Currently Available

This project is not being offered for the current term. Please check back next semester for updates.

Project description

The Large Hadron Collider at CERN in Geneva, Switzerland is undergoing an upgrade to produce an unprecedented number of proton-proton collisions. This has the potential to lead to breakthroughs in particle physics. To make use of this collider upgrade, the CMS experiment is upgrading many components of its particle detectors.

One part of the CMS upgrade includes a new inner tracking detector, which is used to measure charged particles. Just like in a cell phone, the silicon detector material needs to be cooled. In this project, you will be helping to test the cooling system for the new tracker forward pixels (TFPX) of the CMS detector. 

Project outcome

The project will culminate in a final presentation. 

Project details

Timing, eligibility and other details
Length of commitment About a semester; 3-5 months
Start time This has already happened
In-person, remote, or hybrid? Hybrid 
Level of collaboration Small group project (2-3 students)
Benefits Research Experience; Academic Credit; Stipend 
Who is eligible All undergraduate students 

Core partners

  • Cornell Physics 

Project mentor

Christine McLean

Assistant Professor

Physics

Phone: (716) 645-0723

Email: cmclean@buffalo.edu

Start the project

  1. Email the project mentor using the contact information above to express your interest and get approval to work on the project. (Here are helpful tips on how to contact a project mentor.)
  2. After you receive approval from the mentor to start this project, click the button to start the digital badge. (Learn more about the digital badge.) 
Start the Digital Badge

Preparation activities

Once you begin the digital badge series, you will have access to all the necessary activities and instructions. Your mentor has indicated they would like you to also complete the specific preparation activities below. After you’re approved to begin the project, your mentor will send the relevant materials. Please reference this when you get to Step 2 of the Preparation Phase. 

  •  Attending workshops and trainings
    • Lab Safety Training
  • Reading articles or books

Keywords

physics, particle physics, CERN, particle detector, engineering