Particle Physics Technology Advisory Panel (PPTAP)

The European Strategy for Particle Physics Update, which was published in June 2020, identified the immediate need for active R&D programmes for future detectors and accelerators. The establishment of R&D roadmaps was entrusted to the European Collaboration for Future Accelerators (ECFA) in the case of detector R&D, and the European Laboratory Directors Group (ELDG) for the critical technologies associated with accelerators.

The purpose of the Particle Physics Technology Advisory Panel (PPTAP) is to provide a link between Executive Board, Council, TAAB, and the community, to produce a coherent UK position on the development of the R&D Roadmaps related to the European Strategy for Particle Physics Update. It is recognised that the UK will benefit from a coherent and strategic approach to future R&D in these fields that plays to the UK’s strengths.

Work on both the ECFA and ELDG roadmaps started in late-2020 and is expected to be completed and report to CERN Council by summer 2021. Each activity will draw on input from a number of working groups made up of experts from Member States; PPTAP in the UK. PPTAP was established and met for the first time in late-2020, and the lifetime of the panel will coincide with that of the European road-mapping process, expected to conclude in summer 2021.

PPTAP is therefore expected to complete its activities and its final report to TAAB and Executive Board by Autumn 2021.

PPTAP Community Survey

This survey explores the need for R&D towards new technologies, that will in turn support the infrastructure and facilities underlying the science programme. PPTAP seeks to gather input on a range of technology options that can represent R&D trajectories toward well-defined scientific objectives in the 2040s and beyond. Key themes relevant to PPTAP are scale and ambition, affordability, sustainability (in all its forms) and international cooperation and leadership. STFC and the PPTAP want to know what UK communities think, and we are reaching out to as many relevant communities and as widely as we can. Please follow the link below to take part in the survey, noting the closing date of 01 March 2021.

https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/YK8GQ3D

Membership

Meeting dates

PPTAP will be meeting on a monthly basis in 2021 prior to presenting its outcomes and report to the STFC Technology and Accelerator Advisory, and Executive, Boards ahead of CERN Council in the Autumn.

Report

Once completed, the PPTAP report will be available here.

Terms of Reference

Terms of Reference (PDF, 44KB).

PPTAP is tasked to:

• develop a coherent, strategic and holistic approach to planning of particle physics and the associated accelerator R&D activities within the European context
   
• consult and interact with the wider community (university groups and NLD departments) to ensure its views are canvassed and there is an appropriate and effective route for communication with STFC
   
• work to establish the need for UK particle physics and associated accelerator R&D activities, in the context of the overall PP projects roadmap, as well as the current level of expertise and relevant activity within the UK
   
• maintain an overview of the ECFA and ELDG road mapping activities, and participate in road mapping expert panels
   
• liaise with other advisory panels as appropriate.

Contacts

David Brown, Panel Secretary or Nicky Bladen-Hovell, Panel Coordinator can be contacted on PPTAP@stfc.ukri.org