The RSVP Project: Fundamental Physics at the Sensitivity Frontier

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The RSVP ProjectFundamental Physics at the
Sensitivity Frontier

• RSVP consists of two particle physics experiments
  that have the potential to profoundly change our
  understanding of the basic constituents of matter
  and the forces by which they interact
• MECO is a search for conversion of muons to
  electrons.Goal is to understand better the
  family structure of leptons, why there exist 2
  extra copies of particles that make up the matter
  around us.
• KOPIO is a search for decay of a neutral kaon to
  a neutralpion, a neutrino and an
  anti-neutrino.The goal is to understand better
  CP violation, which is requiredto produce a
  Universe containing matter rather than a mixture
  of matter and anti-matter.

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Who are the RSVP Participants?

• MECO and KOPIO Scientific Collaborations
• Boston University
• Brookhaven National Laboratory
• University of California, Irvine
• University of Cincinnati
• University of Houston
• University of Massachusetts, Amherst
• SUNY, Stony Brook
• University of New Mexico
• New York University
• University of Pennsylvania
• Syracuse University
• University of Virginia
• Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State
  University
• College of William and Mary
• Yale University
• International Collaborators
• Canada
• Italy

Sponsoring agency National Science Foundation,
Division of Mathematical and Physical Sciences,
MREFC Program. NSF has been singled out as an
agency that is efficiently managed. Host
Laboratory Brookhaven National Laboratory,
Operated by Brookhaven Science Associates for the
Department of Energy, Office of Science, Division
of Nuclear Physics Breaking New Ground in
Inter-Agency Cooperation
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Understanding the Basic Constituents of Matter
Fred Reines, UCI
? normal matter

extra copies
?
?
?
U.S.NobelPrizes
KOPIO
SuperK
MECO
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History of Lepton Flavor Violation Searches
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10-2
?- N ? e-N ? ? e? ? ? e e e-
10-4
10-6
10-8
10-10
E871
10-12
K0?? ?e- K?? ? ?e-
10-14
SINDRUM2
10-16
MECO Goal ?
1940 1950 1960 1970
1980 1990 2000 2010
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The MECO Experiment
Muon Transport SC Solenoid (25 kG)
Proton beam
12 m long SC Solenoid (20 kG) and experimental
equipment
Muon Production SC Solenoid (50 kG)
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MECO at Brookhaven National Laboratory
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RSVP Has Passed Scientific Scrutiny at All Levels

• RSVP experiments were reviewed and approved on
  science objectivesby peer review panel at
  Brookhaven National Laboratory (1997).
• RSVP was very strongly supported by NSF appointed
  peer review panel (1999) A positive result from
  that experiment would have a profound effect on
  our understanding of the fundamental constituents
  of matter and of the forces that govern their
  behavior.
• RSVP has received high marks in many NSF cost,
  schedule and management reviews, both internal
  and external (1999-2001) RSVP was critically
  reviewed internally at NSF by senior management
  from all of the NSF Directorates, resulting in
  broad, strong support for going forward.
• RSVP has been approved by the National Science
  Board (October 2000)The National Science Board
  reviewed the case for RSVP and approved it for
  inclusion in the FY 2002 or later budget.
• RSVP continues to have the strong backing of the
  NSF RSVP is now the highest priority
  construction project from the Directorate of
  Mathematical and Physical Sciences.
• letter from Robert Eisenstein, NSF Assistant
  Director

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What is the California Stake in this Project?

• The MECO collaboration was initiated and is led
  by UCI scientists.
• The MECO project will be funded through UCI.
• National Laboratories in California have
  expertise useful to the project
• Accelerator technology (LLNL and LANL)
• Superconducting magnet technology (LLNL)
• Large project experience
• California industry will strongly compete for
  many parts of the project
• 30M superconducting magnets will be built at a
  company like General Atomics
• Many high tech companies in computing,
  electronics, cryogenics, engineering, precision
  machining, etc.
• The MECO experiment will contribute to training
  students and postdocsan outreach program for
  area high school and middle school teachers is
  planned
• Scientific results will contribute to the
  reputation of the University of California.

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What are the Financial Resources Required for
RSVP?

• Construction project cost of approximately 120M
  over 5 years Source NSF MREFC Program
• Incremental operating expenses at the
  collaborating institutions and Laboratory of
  about 12M per year for 3-4 years Source NSF
  Division of MPS
• Substantial resources are available from
  international collaborating institutions
  contingent on U.S. funding.

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Why Should the Country Fund RSVP Now?

• Intellectual pursuits, including attempts to
  understand how the universe works, are one of
  the underpinnings of our society.
• Historically, fundamental research in the
  physical sciences has produced enormous
  collateral technological benefits that contribute
  in many areasone example is superconducting
  magnet technology and MRI machines.
• The United States has the intellectual and
  financial resources to pursue technologically
  challenging problems in a way that few other
  countries do.
• Scientific progress is made incrementally a long
  range vision and commitment is needed to maintain
  progress payout is beyond the horizon for
  private industry.
• RSVP can very efficiently use an infrastructure
  that exists now. Both the physical infrastructure
  and the personnel involved have limited
  productive lifetime.
• Funding projects when they are ready ultimately
  reduces the cost.