TRR 9

  Copyright: © Peter Winandy

Computational Particle Physics

During the past years Computational Physics has developed into an independent discipline within physics.

Theoretical particle physics was and still is one of those fields which rely heavily on computer-assisted techniques. The two most prominent examples in this context are the numerical simulation of quantum field theories on discretized space time - lattice gauge theory -, which is closely connected with the investigation of phase transitions in statistical mechanics, and the extensive application of computer algebra for the evaluation of scattering amplitudes in perturbative quantum field theory.

High-Performance Computers open up New Possibilities in Theoretical Partical Physics

The rapid development of powerful computers has opened up qualitatively new possibilities which are being developed and applied in the present Transregio-SFB.

Including dynamical fermions in simulations of lattice gauge theories will for the first time allow realistic comparisons between measurements and theoretical predictions for transition matrix elements and hadron spectra.

The perturbative treatment of quantum field theory with the help of extensive use of computer algebra allows to perform highly complex calculations and to arrive at predictions with unprecendented accuracy.

To achieve these goals there are three sections including project leaders from the three participating institutions at Aachen, Berlin-Zeuthen and Karlsruhe with expertise in perturbative quantum field theory and computer algebra, lattice gauge theory and flavour dynamics.

Sections and Key Research Areas

Section A "Perturbative Methods and Lattice Simulation in Quantum Field Theory" is mainly concerned with conceptual developments. This includes development of new methods for the evaluation of Feynman integrals, the design of parallelised computer algebra and the development of perturbative methods for lattice gauge theory. These investigations lay the foundations for "Predictions for Reactions at High Energies" and calculations for "Heavy Quarks and Flavour Physics", the central topics of Sections B and C.

Section B is mainly concerned with calculations relevant for the colliders LHC at CERN and TESLA which are either under construction or in their late phase of design.

Section C is mainly concerned with production and decays of top and bottom quarks in view of the presently operation B-meson factories and the plans for top quark production at the future linear collider TESLA.