Sujet de thèse pour la rentrée 2020

Theory developments for jets in heavy-ion collisions

Laboratory: SUBATECH
Address: 4 rue A. Kastler, La Chantrerie, 44307 Nantes cedex 3

Primary supervisor: Jacopo Ghiglieri (theory group)
Email: Cette adresse e-mail est protégée contre les robots spammeurs. Vous devez activer le JavaScript pour la visualiser.

Thesis topic:

It is extremely exciting that the quark-gluon plasma, the deconfined phase of Quantum ChromoDynamics-- the theory of the strong interaction-ß- can be probed in the laboratory through heavy-ion collision experiments, such as those at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) at CERN. The investigation of the medium produced in these experiments proceeds through two complementary approaches: “bulk properties” --collective behavior of the many lower-energy produced particles-- and “hard probes” -- the fewer higher-energy particles.

Jets--collimated sprays of hadrons-- are one of the key hard probes: understanding the difference between jet development in a hot plasma, compared to development in the vacuum or near-vacuum environment of a lower-multiplicity collision (e.g proton-proton) is of the utmost importance for quantifying the properties of the quark-gluon plasma, also in the light of the challenge posed by the recent discovery of collective behavior in “small systems”, i.e. proton-nucleus and high-multiplicity proton-proton collisions, unaccompanied by the modification of jet spectra (“jet quenching”)  observed in heavy-ion collisions.

Motivated by these current challenges and intense activity, the proposed research will investigate the theory jet propagation in a hot quark-gluon plasma, concentrating in particular on the development and application of the most advanced techniques in Thermal Field Theory--the theory of Quantum Fields at nonzero temperature-- and in Effective Field Theories, striving to create a comprehensive theory for the jet evolution through all stages of the collisions.

How to apply: Applicants should submit the following documents through https://theses.u-bretagneloire.fr/3m/copy_of_theses-2019/developpements-theoriques-pour-les-jets

Detailed and up-to-date CV, with a valid email address that will remain so until the administrative procedures are over
- Motivation letter with a description of your professional project (Why a Ph.D? What are you planning to do with your career?)
Transcript of exams and marks during the bachelor and master
Reference letter from the supervisor for the masters’ thesis or equivalent
If applicable, reference letters from supervisors for other undergraduate research project (e.g. bachelor thesis, other master research or internship, such as "M1 stage" in France)

A background in theoretical particle physics and quantum field theory is desirable.

Reference letters can also be sent directly by the reference writers to Cette adresse e-mail est protégée contre les robots spammeurs. Vous devez activer le JavaScript pour la visualiser.; the applicant should in this case indicate so in the application file. Preference is given to applications submitted by May 8, 2020.