High Energy Physics | Department of Energy Official websites use .gov .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS lock ) or means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. High Energy Physics High Energy Physics (HEP) explores what the world is made of and how it works at the smallest and largest scales, seeking new discoveries from the tiniest particles to the outer reaches of space. This quest inspires young minds, trains an expert workforce, and drives innovation that improves the nation’s health, wealth, and security. Our research is inspired by some of the biggest questions about our universe. What is it made of? What forces govern it? How did become the way it is today? Finding these answers requires the combined efforts some of the largest scientific collaborations in the world, using some of the most sensitive detectors in the world, at some of the largest scientific machines in the world. We support U.S. researchers that play leading roles in these international efforts and world-leading facilities at our National Laboratories that make this science possible. We also develop new accelerator, detector, and computational tools to open new doors to discovery science, and through Accelerator Stewardship, work to make transformational accelerator technology widely available to science and industry. Learn more about the High Energy Physics mission and how we support it. Video Url Small Particles, Big Science: The International LBNF/DUNE Project Fermilab Video Url In this video, DESI project participants share their insight and excitement about the project and its potential for new and unexpected discoveries. Video courtesy of the Department of Energy HEP Subprograms Link URL Energy Frontier Researchers at the Energy Frontier use the world’s largest and highest energy particle accelerator to recreate the universe as it was a billionth of a second after the Big Bang. Link URL Intensity Frontier Researchers at the Intensity Frontier investigate some of the rarest particle interactions in nature and subtle effects that require large data sets to observe and measure. Link URL Cosmic Frontier Researchers at the Cosmic Frontier use naturally occurring cosmic particles and phenomena to reveal the nature of dark matter, cosmic acceleration, and more. Link URL Theoretical, Computational, and Interdisciplinary Physics Theoretical, computational, and interdisciplinary physics provide the vision and the framework for extending our knowledge of particles and the universe. Link URL Advanced Technology R&D Cutting-edge research in the physics of particle accelerators, particle beams, and particle detection enables scientists to stay on the threshold of discovery. Link URL Accelerator Stewardship Supporting use-inspired basic research in accelerator science and technology to make particle accelerator technology widely available to science and industry. HEP Science Highlights New Precise Calculation of Nuclear Beta Decays Paves the Way to Uncover Physics Beyond the Standard Model Theorists identify new effects needed to compute the nuclear beta decay rate with a precision of a few parts in ten thousand. about New Precise Calculation of Nuclear Beta Decays Paves the Way to Uncover Physics Beyond the Standard Model Belle II Detector Produces World’s Most Precise Measurements of Subatomic Particle Lifetimes Particle lifetime measurements with early data from the Belle II experiment at the SuperKEKB accelerator demonstrate the experiment’s high precision. about Belle II Detector Produces World’s Most Precise Measurements of Subatomic Particle Lifetimes Smoother Surfaces Make for Better Particle Accelerators An enhanced topographic analysis toolkit for forecasting and improving particle accelerator performance is helping scientists build better accelerators. about Smoother Surfaces Make for Better Particle Accelerators PROSPECT Characterizes the Footprint of Neutrinos Experiment at Oak Ridge National Laboratory’s High Flux Isotope Reactor precisely measures the antineutrino energy spectrum. about PROSPECT Characterizes the Footprint of Neutrinos In Preparation for DUNE, Scientists Examine Modern Nuclear Theory for Neutrino Oscillation Physics Modern nuclear theory predicts that nucleons appear less “squishy” when probed with neutrinos than was previously inferred from experimental data. about In Preparation for DUNE, Scientists Examine Modern Nuclear Theory for Neutrino Oscillation Physics Imaging the Proton with Neutrinos The MINERvA experiment in the NuMI beam at Fermilab has made the first accurate image of the proton using neutrinos instead of light as the probe. about Imaging the Proton with Neutrinos The Mechanism Of Cosmic Magnetic Fields Explored in the Laboratory A novel experiment sheds new light on a possible mechanism that may seed magnetic fields for the galactic dynamo. about The Mechanism Of Cosmic Magnetic Fields Explored in the Laboratory New Error Mitigation Approach helps Quantum Computers Level Up Noise estimation circuits, in conjunction with other error mitigation methods, produce reliable results for quantum computer-based materials simulations. about New Error Mitigation Approach helps Quantum Computers Level Up Laser-Driven “Chirp” Powers High-Resolution Materials Imaging Harnessing the intensity of a terahertz laser pulse brings the resolution of electron scattering closer to the scale of electron and proton motion. about Laser-Driven “Chirp” Powers High-Resolution Materials Imaging Proton-Proton Fusion: Powering the Sun The Nuclear Physics with Lattice Quantum Chromodynamics Collaboration (NPLQCD), under the umbrella of the U.S. Quantum Chromodynamics Collaboration about Proton-Proton Fusion: Powering the Sun View More HEP Program News Department of Energy Announces $71 Million for Research on Quantum Information Science Enabled Discoveries in High Energy Physics about Department of Energy Announces $71 Million for Research on Quantum Information Science Enabled Discoveries in High Energy Physics Department of Energy Announces $16 Million for Traineeships in Accelerator Science & Engineering about Department of Energy Announces $16 Million for Traineeships in Accelerator Science & Engineering Department of Energy Announces $137 Million for Research on High Energy Physics about Department of Energy Announces $137 Million for Research on High Energy Physics Department of Energy Announces $2.2 Million for U.S.-Japan Cooperative Research in High Energy Physics about Department of Energy Announces $2.2 Million for U.S.-Japan Cooperative Research in High Energy Physics HEP Research Resources Astronomy and Astrophysics Advisory Committee about Astronomy and Astrophysics Advisory Committee Funding Opportunities about Funding Opportunities Building for Discovery: Strategic Plan for U.S. Particle Physics in the Global Context about Building for Discovery: Strategic Plan for U.S. Particle Physics in the Global Context HEP Reports about HEP Reports Science of High Energy Physics about Science of High Energy Physics Impact of High Energy Physics about Impact of High Energy Physics Contact Information High Energy Physics U.S. Department of Energy Germantown Building 1000 Independence Ave., SW Washington, DC 20585 P: (301) 903-3624 F: (301) 903-2597 E: sc.hep@science.doe.gov