The aim of the BABAR experiment is to measure the large time-dependent
CP asymmetries that are predicted in many B meson decays, such as
and 
. By making
measurements of these decays it will be possible to test the consistency of
the Standard Model description of heavy quark decay, mixing and CP violation
through the parameters of the CKM matrix.
The PEP-II asymmetric collider is on schedule for completion this year. The 9 GeV high energy ring was successfully commissioned last year. The 3.1 GeV low energy ring is almost complete. The full commissioning of the collider is planned for the end of this year, allowing first collisions to be observed in 1999.
The BABAR detector is also nearing completion. The superconducting magnet has been tested, and the drift chamber is currently being tested with cosmic rays. The barrel CsI calorimeter has been assembled and is now being installed in the magnet. The UK contribution to BABAR is to construct the endcap calorimeter, and to provide all the calorimeter readout electronics. The endcap calorimeter is on schedule for completion in October 1998. The main responsibility of the Edinburgh group has been to provide a light fibre system for testing, calibration and monitoring of the calorimeter. We also participate in readout electronics, and in the development of object-oriented software in C++. Our main software contributions have been in calorimeter reconstruction and in the development of the event store database which uses Objectivity.
In physics analyses the group has a strong background in the study of B meson decays, with particular interests in the observation of direct and indirect CP violating, the study of rare B decays, and the measurement of leptonic and semileptonic decays.
The new research associate would be expected to contribute to the commissioning and understanding of the BABAR calorimeter during the first year of running (1999). They would then be expected to work on data analysis in collaboration with graduate students. It is desirable that they also contribute to the development of core software, including the event store database. One important project is the development of a UK sub-database containing approximately 10% of the full BABAR data. A bid has been made for funding for a 10TB store, which will probably be located at RAL. Knowledge of C++ and OO design techniques is desirable. However, training is provided both at SLAC and at RAL for BABAR collaborators.
It is likely that the RA would be on long term attachment at SLAC for much of the period of their appointment.