PhD in Physics - High Energy Physics in Boulder United States | University of Colorado Boulder

High energy physics (or particle physics) aims to identify matter's most basic components and study how these particles interact. The Standard Model serves as the foundational theory, encompassing 6 quarks, 6 leptons, 4 gauge bosons, and the Higgs boson (a scalar particle), governed by three fundamental forces: strong nuclear, weak nuclear, and electromagnetic. Exploring higher energy levels (equivalent to shorter distances) may reveal new particles or inconsistencies in the Standard Model. Alternatively, examining known particles at lower energies could offer insights into physics beyond this framework. Such discoveries would deepen our comprehension of the universe, possibly addressing mysteries like the Higgs boson's unexpectedly low mass, the nature of dark matter, potential unification of forces at extreme energies, and the fate of antimatter after the Big Bang.