"The Higgs Boson"

Experimental high-energy particle physicist, Professor Gustaaf Brooijmans, of Columbia University will present his colloquium on the Higgs boson.

Abstract:

Predictions based on the Standard Model of particle physics, formulated over thirty years ago, have withstood the challenge of every experiment in particle physics over that period with extreme accuracy.  Nevertheless, an essential building block, the Higgs boson, has remained elusive.  With most of its allowed mass range already excluded, experiments are now sensitive to the small remaining range in which it can hide.  In this colloquium, the reasons a Higgs boson is needed in the Standard Model will be reviewed together with a short history of past searches for evidence for its existence. Then the most recent results obtained at the CERN LHC will be explained, showing how close we are to establishing whether or not the Standard Model Higgs boson exists.

Where: Columbia University Pupin Hall 428

When: July 6th, 2012, 1:00 p.m.