Karnataka - Bangalore   

New device to understand mysteries of universe

Special Correspondent

Bangalore: An unusual machine now being developed through international scientific collaboration may answer questions about some of the deepest mysteries in the universe, such as what is the nature of mass, are there extra dimensions and what is the dark matter that makes up 95 per cent of the universe?

Barry Barish, Director, Global Design Effort: International Linear Collidor, Caltech, U.S.; said here on Thursday that the International Linear Collider (ILC) is a proposed electron-positron collider.

"It consists of two linear accelerators that face each other and will accelerate beams of electrons and positrons toward each other at nearly the speed of light," he said.

Dr. Barish is among the gathering of international and Indian scientists who will discuss the topic for five days at the Indian Institute of Science here from Friday.

The others who met the media include S.K. Kurokawa of the Asian Committee-Future Accelerators, Japan; Albrecht Wagner of Hamburg, Germany; and Rohini M. Godbole of IISc. In the ILC, some 20 billion electrons and positrons are squeezed into beams approximately 40 nanometres thick: thinner than a strand of hair.

They will speed towards each other from opposite ends. Superconducting accelerator cavities operating at temperatures near absolute zero will give the particles increasing energy till they smash in a blazing crossfire at the centre of the machine.

Scientists will make the particles collies approximately 14,000 times every second at a higher-than-ever energy, creating an array of new particles.

Planning, designing and funding the proposed ILC requires global participation and organisation.

Headed by Dr. Barish, an international team of 63 scientists and engineers leads the Global Design Effort for ILC. Some related research at the IISc. will be shared at the workshop here. From senior physicists to students, more than 100 universities and laboratories in 12 countries are collaborating to build the ILC.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Stories in this Section

Move to redesign first phase of international airport project
Rajya Sabha elections likely to throw up some surprises
10-point plan drawn up to ease traffic flow in Bangalore city
Draft law on admission fees ready
Outbreak of gastro-enteritis feared in some areas of city
Littering the Lalbagh with plastics may land you in trouble
Woman ends life, harassment suspected
Work hit in offices despite strike withdrawal
Fire in chemicals godown
A business presentation is more than visuals
From kimono to traditional Indian sari
Plan to spread awareness of kidney diseases
New device to understand mysteries of universe
Legislators hoping to head KDA disappointed
Election notification likely today
Cancellation of Bollgard II field trials sought
Association's credibility takes a beating
Check the insulin vial before you buy it
Four more nabbed in Palani murder case
Students want entrance test again
BDA continues hearing with landowners
BMP to clear encroachments on pavements of Airport Road
JD(S) may pick Rajasekhara Murthy
Scholars to be honoured
BMP to hold grievance redressal meetings today
Mayor opens computer training centre
No `Janata Darshan'
Around the City
In Bangalore Today

Copyright © 2006, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu