Summer Students 2008

Oliver A. Hall

I spent my time largely comparing data produced by the SHERPA simulation to experimental results, this involved getting and editing experimental data published on the HEP online database and editing this to be in a suitable format to compare with the predictions of SHERPA. As a result of this I learnt a lot of LINUX-based computing which was essential for the task. During my time I also aquired some knowledge of the physics behind what I was doing which was very interesting.

Below you can see one of the plots I produced. It shows charged multiplicity distributions taken by the LEP collaborations at 91.2 GeV centre-of-mass energy. The data are compared with a Sherpa setup.

I found my experience of working in the IP3 gave me an insight into what it would be like to do actual research in particle physics, and in that sense I would describe it as benefical. I would certainly recommend this to anyone considering doing a PhD or other research degree in this area. To sum up I would say that this experience would give a very good taster for those interested in pursuing a Phd in this area, and thus that it is a thoroughly worthwhile experience.