As the LHC accelerator and its experiments, which performed exceptionally well in 2017, are getting ready for the upcoming 2018 run, students have been warming up for the analysis of the new data that will be recorded by the CMS experiment.
From Jan. 8-12, more than 100 graduate students, postdocs and faculty from around the world came to Fermilab to attend the eighth annual CMS Data Analysis School, hosted by the LHC Physics Center (LPC). School attendees came to learn particle physics data analysis techniques, strengthen their skills in analysis and interact with CMS scientists to learn more about conducting the experiment.
This year featured a record number of school attendees. The students were coached by CMS experts in hands-on sessions, covering topics such as particle identification, statistics, paper writing, and triggers. This culminates in full-blown physics analysis of CMS data. Thanks to the training, the students will contribute to the CMS experiment at the Large Hadron Collider when it turns on again in few months after a winter shutdown.
The 2018 LPC Distinguished Researchers, who played a key role in preparing the school’s hands-on exercises and then guiding the students through them, got together for the first time this year and planned their future activities at the LPC.
Sergo Jindariani is a a co-coordinator of the LHC Physics Center at Fermilab.
Students from the CMS experiment worldwide convened last week at Fermilab for the eighth annual five-day intense CMS Data Analysis School, hosted by the LHC Physics Center. Photo: Reidar Hahn
The 2018 LPC Distinguished Researchers and the school organizers conducted this year’s training sessions. Photo: Marguerite Tonjes