Seeking an understanding of how our universe works

The DOE Office of Science's High Energy Physics (HEP) seeks to understand how our universe works. It involves exploring the basic nature of space and time itself, discovering the elementary constituents of matter and energy, and probing the interactions between them.

Through the Office of High Energy Physics (HEP), Los Alamos conducts research in particle physics and cosmology to understand the fundamental particles and forces of nature and the evolution and structure of the universe. Current LANL HEP experimental and theoretical efforts are an integral part of the HEP priorities for their Intensity and Cosmic Frontier Programs.

Los Alamos projects in this area include the following:

On the trail of one of the greatest mysteries in physics, Los Alamos researchers play a significant role on three accelerator-based experiments and projects at Fermilab: MiniBooNE, MicroBooNE, and the Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment (DUNE). These experiments are central to the HEP Intensity Frontier program."

The centerpiece of the Los Alamos contribution to the HEP Cosmic Frontier is the High Altitude Water Cherenkov (HAWC) Observatory, an Extensive Air Shower Detector with 300 detector tanks under construction at 13500 feet in Parque Nacional Pico de Orizaba, Mexico. The Observatory builds on the experience.

Watch the “Probing Nature’s Highest Energy Particle Accelerators” video here.

LANL Principal Investigators have been the recipient of two HEP Early Career Awards, and one Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers.