The Large Hadron Collider (LHC) at CERN is a sophisticated particle accelerator designed to explore the fundamental particles of the universe by accelerating and colliding subatomic particles.
Accelerator
An accelerator is a machine that increases the energy of a particle beam by passing it through a series of devices, each with increasing energy levels. The LHC is the final stage in this sequence, achieving the highest energy levels for the particles.
Collider
In a collider, two particle beams traveling in opposite directions are made to collide. The LHC’s beams move at nearly the speed of light in two separate, ultrahigh vacuum beam pipes.
Radiofrequency (RF) Cavities
These metallic chambers resonate at specific frequencies. When a particle beam passes through, the electric field in the RF cavity transfers energy from the radio waves to the particles.
Superconducting Magnets
The LHC’s 27-kilometer ring features magnets made from special superconducting cables. These magnets must be chilled to -271.3°C, colder than outer space, to achieve superconductivity.
CERN Overview
• Purpose: Studying particle interactions to understand the properties of matter and the origins of the universe. • Location: Meyrin, on the France-Switzerland border near Geneva. • Established: 1954, with 23 European member countries and several associated members.
The LHC produces massive particles such as the Higgs boson and the top quark through collisions. By analyzing these particles, scientists gain insights into the fundamental nature of the universe.
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