Current Projects

Unveiling the Science Behind the Universe’s Mysteries

Impact on Society

Collaboration and Innovation

• Large Hadron Collider Upgrade (HL-LHC): The High-Luminosity Large Hadron Collider (HL-LHC) is an ongoing upgrade to the world’s largest and most powerful particle accelerator. The goal of the upgrade is to increase the collider’s luminosity by a factor of 10, allowing scientists to collect more data and explore rare particle interactions that could shed light on new physics beyond the Standard Model.
• Future Circular Collider (FCC): The Future Circular Collider is an ambitious proposal to build a new 100-kilometer particle accelerator, with the potential to reach energies much higher than the LHC. This next-generation project aims to provide deeper insights into the structure of the universe and address questions left unanswered by current technologies.
• Compact Linear Collider (CLIC): The Compact Linear Collider (CLIC) is a proposed next-generation particle accelerator designed to explore new energy frontiers. Unlike circular colliders, CLIC aims to collide particles in a straight line, reaching extremely high energies that could probe the smallest structures in the universe and uncover new physics.
• The AWAKE Experiment: AWAKE is a groundbreaking project using plasma to accelerate particles, offering a new way to achieve higher energies more efficiently. This innovative experiment opens the door to future technologies that could lead to more compact and powerful accelerators.
• The ALICE Experiment Upgrade: The ALICE experiment, which focuses on studying the quark-gluon plasma—the state of matter just after the Big Bang—is undergoing significant upgrades. These improvements will allow the experiment to record more collisions and gain deeper insights into the behaviour of fundamental particles under extreme conditions.
• The LHCb Experiment Upgrade: LHCb focuses on investigating the differences between matter and antimatter by studying b-hadrons. The current upgrade will significantly enhance its detection capabilities, enabling researchers to collect more precise data and push the boundaries of knowledge on the imbalance in the universe.
• The SHiP Experiment (Search for Hidden Particles): SHiP is an innovative experiment designed to search for hidden particles beyond the Standard Model, such as dark matter candidates. By using high-intensity beams, SHiP could open new windows into understanding the unseen components of the universe.
• Neutrino Projects (DUNE Collaboration): CERN plays a crucial role in the Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment (DUNE), one of the largest neutrino experiments in the world. This project seeks to unravel the mysteries of neutrinos, which could provide key insights into the origins of the universe and the asymmetry between matter and antimatter.
• The LHC Experiments (ATLAS, CMS, LHCb, ALICE): The Large Hadron Collider is home to several major experiments, including ATLAS, CMS, LHCb, and ALICE, each designed to investigate different aspects of particle physics. These experiments continue to provide groundbreaking results, from studying the Higgs boson to exploring the properties of matter under extreme conditions.
• ATLAS Experiment: ATLAS is one of the two largest experiments at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC). It aims to discover new particles and study phenomena such as the Higgs boson, supersymmetry, and extra dimensions. The ATLAS detector is designed to observe a wide range of particles created in high-energy collisions, helping scientists explore the fundamental forces of nature.
• CMS (Compact Muon Solenoid) Experiment: CMS is another large general-purpose experiment at the LHC, designed to investigate a variety of physics, including the Higgs boson, dark matter, and extra dimensions. The CMS detector is particularly noted for its precision in measuring muons, which are key to uncovering new physics beyond the Standard Model.
• LHCb (Large Hadron Collider beauty) Experiment: LHCb focuses on understanding the differences between matter and antimatter by studying the properties of particles containing a b-quark (beauty quark). This experiment helps scientists investigate why the universe is composed primarily of matter, contributing to our understanding of the imbalance between matter and antimatter.
• ALICE (A Large Ion Collider Experiment): ALICE is designed to study the quark-gluon plasma, a state of matter that existed just after the Big Bang. By smashing heavy ions together at nearly the speed of light, ALICE investigates how matter behaved under extreme conditions, offering insights into the early universe and the fundamental structure of matter.
• The CERN Quantum Technology Initiative (QTI): CERN’s Quantum Technology Initiative (QTI) is at the forefront of exploring how quantum technologies can revolutionize particle physics. QTI aims to harness the power of quantum computing, sensing, and communications to tackle challenges in particle physics and beyond.
• Next Generation Triggers Project: The Next Generation Triggers Project focuses on developing advanced triggering systems for CERN’s experiments, particularly those involving the LHC. These systems are essential for selecting the most relevant collision events from the millions that occur every second. The project aims to enhance the precision and speed of these triggers, allowing CERN’s detectors to capture more meaningful data and push the boundaries of particle physics research.