In an exciting development for theoretical particle physics, Dr. Vasily Sotnikov of the University of Zurich’s Physics Institute has been awarded the prestigious European Research Council (ERC) Starting Grant. This highly competitive and generously endowed grant will empower him to pioneer innovative computational techniques to unravel some of the most intricate challenges in particle scattering theory. His interdisciplinary research project, named “HiNPrecise,” is designed to break new ground in calculating scattering amplitudes—mathematical objects central to predicting the outcomes of particle collisions governed by the complex rules of Quantum Field Theory (QFT).
Dr. Sotnikov’s work promises to significantly enhance precision predictions necessary for interpreting data from the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) at CERN, the world’s largest and most powerful particle accelerator. The LHC has been a monumental tool in advancing our understanding of fundamental physics since its commencement, famously leading to the discovery of the Higgs boson in 2012. However, as the LHC undergoes major upgrades slated to increase collision energies and data volumes, the theoretical tools currently at physicists’ disposal have started to lag behind the precision now demanded by experimental results. This gap between theory and experiment highlights the urgent need for more advanced computational frameworks, a challenge that HiNPrecise intends to address.
The conceptual heart of Sotnikov’s project lies in pushing the boundaries of our understanding of scattering amplitudes—the complex, multidimensional functions that encode probabilities for particles scattering off one another during high-energy collisions. In essence, these amplitudes provide the bridge linking the abstract mathematics of quantum fields with measurable physical phenomena. Yet, despite decades of research, much of their intricate structure remains hidden, making direct calculations extraordinarily challenging. Through HiNPrecise, Sotnikov proposes to uncover the subtle singularities within these amplitudes—mathematical features that signal points of infinite values or abrupt changes. These singularities are not mere mathematical curiosities but encode deep physical insights about particle interactions and the underlying symmetries of nature.
HiNPrecise aims to develop a new generation of analytical and numerical tools capable of making these hidden structures explicit. By revealing the singularities, the project will make previously intractable calculations accessible, opening doors to precision modeling of collision events that are essential for validating the Standard Model or signaling new physics beyond it. One of the focal points is the Higgs boson, whose detailed behavior and interactions remain only partially understood. Better theoretical predictions regarding its properties can substantially illuminate the mechanism of electroweak symmetry breaking, a cornerstone concept explaining how particles acquire mass.
The project will serve as a vital bridge between the purely theoretical realm of elementary particle phenomenology and experimental efforts at collider facilities. As Prof. Dr. Stefan Weinzierl from Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz emphasizes, Sotnikov’s expertise aligns perfectly with the theoretical high-energy physics group at Mainz, enabling fruitful collaboration across institutions. His work will complement experimental particle and astroparticle physics groups by providing refined calculations needed to interpret subtle signals in collider data accurately.
From a methodological perspective, HiNPrecise challenges the status quo by combining state-of-the-art mathematical frameworks with cutting-edge computational techniques. Traditional methods of calculating scattering amplitudes often become prohibitively complex as the number of interacting particles increases or as higher-order quantum corrections are considered. This project will tap into new algebraic and geometric methods to tame such complexity, constructing algorithms that can handle previously unimaginable levels of detail. The resulting computational toolkits will not only benefit Sotnikov’s team but also be disseminated widely to the high-energy physics community, setting new standards for theoretical precision.
The impetus for such advancements is particularly timely given the LHC’s ongoing upgrades, which will generate unprecedented volumes of collision data. These experimental developments drive a critical need to push theoretical predictions beyond their current limits. Without corresponding progress in theory, efforts to uncover subtle deviations from the Standard Model that could signal new physics will remain hampered. HiNPrecise directly addresses this bottleneck by enabling more accurate and reliable predictions that can be compared with experimental outcomes, thus maximizing the scientific return from existing and future collider programs.
Dr. Sotnikov’s impressive trajectory underscores the caliber of research behind this endeavor. A graduate of Moscow State University, he earned his doctorate summa cum laude from the University of Freiburg. Following positions at the Max Planck Institute for Physics and Michigan State University, Sotnikov joined the University of Zurich as a senior research associate in 2022. The ERC Starting Grant marks a significant milestone, providing him the resources to launch an independent research group dedicated to these frontier challenges.
The significance of the ERC Starting Grant cannot be overstated; it is one of Europe’s most competitive funding schemes designed to enable outstanding early-career researchers to establish pioneering scientific programs. Recipients are selected based on an exceptional track record and visionary research proposals with high potential impact. Within this framework, HiNPrecise stands out by aiming to push the fundamental limits of precision theory in particle physics, a field that directly informs our understanding of the universe at its most fundamental level.
Looking ahead, the outcomes of HiNPrecise hold the promise to transform theoretical particle physics. By unveiling the hidden mathematical structures of scattering amplitudes and delivering robust computational tools, Sotnikov’s project will enable a new era of precision studies at colliders. This will sharpen the scientific community’s ability to probe the Higgs boson’s properties, test the Standard Model’s predictions, and search for phenomena that may hint at physics beyond known theories. In doing so, it not only supports the global endeavor to understand the universe’s fundamental laws but also strengthens the collaborative, interdisciplinary nature of modern physics research.
The intersection of sophisticated theory, innovative computational methods, and cutting-edge experiments embodied by HiNPrecise illustrates the future trajectory of particle physics. As particle accelerators push frontiers of energy and precision, theoretical formulations must evolve to meet these challenges. Dr. Sotnikov’s work exemplifies how targeted investments in fundamental science and early-career researchers can yield transformative advances with wide-reaching implications for our understanding of matter, energy, and the cosmos itself.
Subject of Research: Particle theory; computational methods in Quantum Field Theory; scattering amplitudes; Higgs boson interactions
Image Credits: Photo/©: Ekta Chaubey
Keywords
Particle theory, Quantum Field Theory, scattering amplitudes, Higgs boson, Large Hadron Collider, theoretical physics, numerical methods, electroweak symmetry breaking, computational physics, ERC Starting Grant, high-energy physics, particle accelerators
