Professor Helen O'Keeffe FHEA
Professor of Particle PhysicsResearch Overview
My research focuses on particle physics, in particular measuring properties of the neutrino. I collaborate with the Tokai to Kamioka (T2K), Hyper-Kamiokande and SNO+ experiments. Within these experiments, my research interests include the analysis of neutral pion production in neutrino-nucleon interactions, development of Data Acquisition methods for next-generation experiments, precision measurements of radioactive backgrounds and searches for invisible modes of nucleon decay.
In addition to my research, I organise the annual “Particle Physics Masterclass” at Lancaster, attended by approximately 180 local sixth form students.
Current Research
T2K: Located in Japan, T2K is a long-baseline neutrino oscillation experiment that searches for the appearance of electron neutrinos in a muon neutrino beam. To date, the T2K experiment has produced world-leading measurements of neutrino oscillation parameters and the first suggestion of CP-violation in the neutrino sector. Within T2K I am a convener of the overall near detector analysis programme, convener of a near detector selection group and a Senior Data Acquisition/Electronics expert. My research focuses on measurements of neutrino-nucleon interactions that produce neutral pions and also using measurements of muon neutrino interactions to determine the parent hadrons that produce the neutrino beam. I also am actively involved with the operation and maintenance of the near detector Data Acquisition (DAQ) systems and electronics.
Hyper-Kamiokande: Hyper-Kamiokande is a proposed mega scale water Cherenkov detector that will act as the far detector for a “next-generation” long baseline neutrino experiment that will use an upgraded beam produced by the J-PARC facility in Japan. The experiment will investigate CP violation in the neutrino sector by observation of oscillations of neutrino and antineutrino beams. The Hyper-Kamiokande experiment will study proton decays, atmospheric neutrinos, and neutrinos from astrophysical origins. Within the Hyper-Kamiokande collaboration, I lead the international Data Acquisition (DAQ) group and I am work package manager for the UK DAQ development.
SNO+: Located 2 km underground in an active nickel mine, near Sudbury, Ontario, Canada the SNO+ detector will use around 780 tonnes of linear alkylbenzene (LAB) liquid scintillator, loaded with tellurium, to search for neutrinoless double beta decay. The SNO+ physics programme also includes searching for invisible modes of nucleon decay and precision measurements of the solar neutrino flux. I am involved with measurements of radioactive backgrounds and search for invisible modes of nucleon decay. I am a member of the SNO+ scientific board.
Current Teaching
PHYS131 Physics Skills
PHYS232 Nuclear and Particle Physics
PHYS412 Experimental Methods in Particle Physics
MPhys project supervisor
PhD Supervision Interests
I am always interested in discussing potential PhD projects with applicants. Please see the list of thesis topics at the following webpage http://www.lancaster.ac.uk/physics/research/particle-and-accelerator-physics/experimental-particle-physics/
Selected Publications
Constraint on the matter–antimatter symmetry-violating phase in neutrino oscillations
T2K Collaboration, Brailsford, D., Dealtry, T., Finch, A.J., Knox, A., Kormos, L.L., Lawe, M., Nowak, J., O'Keeffe, H.M., Ratoff, P.N., Walsh, J.G. 15/04/2020 In: Nature. 580, p. 339-344. 6 p.
Journal article
First combined analysis of neutrino and antineutrino oscillations at T2K
T2K Collaboration 14/04/2017 In: Physical review letters. 118, 15, 9 p.
Journal article
Supernova Model Discrimination with Hyper-Kamiokande
Hyper-Kamiokande Collaboration, Dealtry, T., Doyle, T.A., Finch, A., Kormos, L.L., James, M.L., Lawe, M., O'Keeffe, H.M. 20/07/2021 In: The Astrophysical Journal. 916, 1, 17 p.
Journal article
Search for invisible modes of nucleon decay in water with the SNO+ detector
SNO+ Collaboration 1/02/2019 In: Physical Review D. 99, 3, 13 p.
Journal article
All Publications
Hyper-Kamiokande construction2
01/10/2022 → 31/03/2026
Research
Lancaster Experimental Particle Physics Consolidated Grant 2022-25
01/10/2022 → 30/09/2025
Research
Hyper-Kamiokande construction
01/10/2021 → 30/09/2022
Research
Hyper-Kamiokande extension 2020/21
01/10/2020 → 30/09/2021
Research
Consolidated Grant 2019 - 2022
01/10/2019 → 30/09/2023
Research
Hyper-K One-Year Pre-Construction Extension
01/10/2019 → 30/09/2020
Research
Lancaster EPP Capital bid 2018
01/10/2018 → 31/03/2020
Research
Lancaster EPP Capital Bid 2016
01/01/2017 → 31/10/2017
Research
Lancaster Experimental Particle Physics Consolidated Grant 2015-2019
01/10/2015 → 31/03/2020
Research
STFC Capital Bid from the HEP Group to STFC 2015
01/10/2015 → 31/03/2016
Research
Particle Physics Talk
Public Lecture/ Debate/Seminar
External Examiner, Undergraduate Honours Physics, University of Glasgow
Examination
Member, STFC Particle Physics Advisory Panel (External organisation)
Member of Advisory Panel
Member, STFC Ernest Rutherford Fellowship Panel (External organisation)
Membership of committee
STFC (External organisation)
Member of Advisory Panel
Member, UK Committee on CERN (UKCC) (External organisation)
Membership of committee
Chair, STFC Particle Physics Grant Panel (Experimental) (External organisation)
Membership of committee
Recent T2K Neutrino Oscillation Results
Oral presentation
Member, CMS upgrade STFC oversight committee (External organisation)
Member of Advisory Panel
Member, STFC Particle Physics Grant Panel (Theory) (External organisation)
Membership of committee
18th International Workshop on Next generation Nucleon Decay and Neutrino Detectors
Participation in conference -Mixed Audience
18th International Workshop on Next generation Nucleon Decay and Neutrino Detectors
Participation in conference -Mixed Audience
Ogden Trust
School Engagement
Ogden Trust
School Engagement
The elusive neutrino, can it help our understanding of the universe?
Public Lecture/ Debate/Seminar
Member, STFC Particle Physics Grant Panel (Experimental) (External organisation)
Membership of committee
Research Foundation - Flanders (Fonds Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek - Vlaanderen, FWO) (External organisation)
Membership of committee
Conference for Undergraduate Women in Physics
Participation in conference -Mixed Audience
NuPhys 2015
Participation in conference -Mixed Audience
Science and Technology Facilities Council (External organisation)
Membership of committee
Science and Technology Facilities Council (External organisation)
Membership of committee
School
School Engagement
20th Particles and Nuclei International Conference
Participation in conference -Mixed Audience
IoP HEPP & APP
Participation in conference -Mixed Audience
Experimental Particle Physics
Experimental Particle Physics
Experimental Particle Physics
- Experimental Particle Physics