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Physics (external link, opens in a new window) - Research (external link, opens in a new window) - Working groups (external link, opens in a new window) - HEP (external link, opens in a new window) - Collins

Prof. Dr. Sara Collins

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An artist’s impression of the mayhem of quarks and gluons inside the proton. (Dominguez, CERN)

We investigate how the properties of particles like the proton arise from the interactions of their fundamental constituents (quarks and gluons). 

Source: Rodekamp, Regensburg

We perform numerical simulations of a discrete version of the quantum field theory quantum chromodynamics at supercomputing facilities in the EU.  

Prof. Dr. Sara Collins

Further info of Prof. Dr. Sara Collins

Research

Quarks and gluons are always confined inside hadrons such as baryons (including nucleons, i.e. protons and neutrons). Almost all of the mass of known matter in the universe is due to nucleons. However, Standard Model- and to-be-discovered new forces interact with quarks and gluons. My research aims to unveil the structure of nucleons in terms of their quark and gluon degrees of freedom — a necessary step for the discovery of new physics. This is achieved through simulations of quantum chromodynamics on supercomputers (Lattice QCD). Other research interests include newly discovered exotic hadrons containing charm quarks and novel, glue-rich hadrons.

A list of my publications can be found here (external link, opens in a new window).
 

Teaching

Summer semester 2026TitleLecturer
52402S (external link, opens in a new window)Quantum Field TheoryS. Collins
52403S (external link, opens in a new window)Exercises for Quantum Field Theory S. Collins

Detailed course information and exercises for the tutorials will be provided on GRIPS (external link, opens in a new window).

Collaborative grants

Future methods research unit (external link, opens in a new window)

I am part of the “Future methods for studying confined gluons in QCD” DFG research unit. Researchers at Wuppertal  and Regensburg Universities and DESY-Zeuthen aim to develop new numerical techniques for lattice QCD. 

PUNCH4NFDI (external link, opens in a new window)

The Regensburg group including Tilo Wettig, Gunnar Bali and myself contribute to the Particles, Universe, NuClei and Hadrons consortium, which is part of the National Research Data Infrastructure initiative.
 

Community Activities

FLAG (external link, opens in a new window)

The FLAG group reviews lattice QCD results for key quantities relevant for the wider nuclear and particle physics communities. I am a member of the Nucleon Matrix Elements working group.
 

LaVa (external link, opens in a new window)

The Lattice Virtual Academy provides advanced e-learning in Lattice Field Theory. The platform covers a broad range of physcs topics. I am a member of the steering committee.
 

Coordinated Lattice Simulations (external link, opens in a new window)

CLS is a consortium of over 10 European research teams that generate gauge ensembles needed for Lattice QCD simulations. I am a member of the coordination board.
 

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