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AUSHEP

Australian Institute for 

High Energy Physics

[General Info] [Objectives] [Experimental] [Theoretical] [Future] [Contact] [HEP Links]

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General Information

High Energy Particle Physics (HEP) is an exciting, high profile discipline which explores the basic structure of matter and the fundamental forces in nature. Armed with our present knowledge we can scientifically approach some of the most fundamental intellectual questions ever asked: What was the universe like a billionth of a second after it was created? What will be its fate? What is the origin of mass? Is matter intrinsically stable?

The Australian Institute for High Energy Physics (AUSHEP) was founded in 1989 on the initiative of the High Energy Physics groups from the Universities of Adelaide, Melbourne and Sydney. The Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO) and the University of Wollongong later joined AUSHEP as full members, and the University of N.S.W. and the Australian National University joined as Associate Members.

Current membership of AUSHEP consists of:

Full members: The University of Adelaide, The University of Melbourne, The University of Sydney, The University of Wollongong, ANSTO, Monash University and The University of Western Australia.

Associate members: The University of N.S.W.


Our Objectives
  • To promote and coordinate research in HEP in Australia.
  • To encourage theoretical HEP, and in particular the symbiosis between theory and experiment.
  • With the consent of the members to act as the representative body in Australia in a large number of areas, both domestic and international.
  • The promotion and coordination of cooperation in the sharing of resources.
  • The coordination of courses, specialised schools and workshops, and the organisation of public lectures.

Experimental Physics

Australian high energy physicists participate in a number of international collaborative experiments at the frontier of science and technology. We play an integral role in their construction, maintenance and operation, as well as working together with other institutes to interpret the final results. The two main experiments in which AUSHEP member institutes participate are:
  • ATLAS - situated at CERN (European Laboratory for Particle Physics) in Switzerland and France
  • Belle - situated at KEK (High Energy Accelerator Research Organisation) in Japan
In the not too distant past, AUSHEP member institutes participated in the following experiments:
  • NOMAD - also at CERN
    • CHAOS - at Canada's National Meson Research Facility, TRIUMF

Travel by Australian researchers to participate in such major international research is largely supported by the Commonwealth Government Backing Australia's Ability initiative through the International Science Linkages program of the Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and Resources (DIISR), the experimental HEP component of which is administered by AUSHEP on behalf of DIISR. 


Theoretical Physics

For more information about theoretical particle physics in Australia please visit:



Future

Bodies and projects charting the future of the field.

  • ICFA - The International Committee for Future Accelerators
  • ACFA - The Asian Committee for Future Accelerators
  • ILC - The International Linear Collider



Contact
Further information on the program at each institute, with contact names and addresses, can be obtained from the associated web pages found here, or by contacting:

Chairperson:
Professor Geoffrey Taylor
School of Physics
The University of Melbourne
Victoria 3010 Australia
Phone: +61 3 8344.5456  
Fax: +61 3 9347.4783
Email: 		Treasurer:
Dr Nicole Bell
School of Physics
The University of Melbourne
Victoria 3010 Australia
Phone: +61 3 8344.3112  
Fax: +61 3 9347.4783
Email:


HEP Links









Created: October 2003
Last Modified: 14 Jul 2008
Maintained by: Kevin Varvell ()