Arts & Sciences Events
[PAST EVENT] David Arthur Brantley: Physics Dissertation Defense
David Arthur Brantley, Final Oral Examination for the Ph.D., Title: "Applications of Lattice QCD to Hadronic CP Violation."
Abstract: We are now in the era of precision low energy nuclear physics tests of the Standard Model. Due to the phenomenal experimental advances of the last two decades, we're now poised to sample beyond Standard Model parameter spaces from nuclear physics quantities. Such determinations require precise input from QCD in the low energy regime, and until recently our best solution, lattice QCD, has failed to precisely reproduce the most basic nuclear physics quantity, the nucleon axial coupling. This is due to large uncertainties present in lattice calculations of nucleon systems, which get exponentially worse as calculations approach the physical point. In this talk, I highlight my work done in determining the first percent level calculation of the nucleon axial coupling using an unconventional strategy. Emboldened by the success of the calculation, I then discuss work done to extend the techniques used for determining nucleon matrix elements contributing to the Neutron Electric Dipole Moment.
Bio: David Brantley attended UC Merced as an undergrad studying Complexity Theory and Hydrodynamics. He entered William & Mary in fall 2013 and began working in the Nuclear and Particle Theory Group under Kostas Orginos and Andr? Walker-Loud. His research is focused on using lattice QCD and Effective Field Theory to study novel low-energy interactions induced by BSM physics. Upon graduating he plans to continue working at LLNL as a scientist.