Today is the Higgs boson's second birthday! It was on this day, the fourth of July, in 2012 that the Higgs was unveiled to the world with the now immortal words of CERN Director General, Rolf Heuer, "I think we have it". Before the announcement was made, the atmosphere at CERN was like a rock concert.… Continue reading Happy Higgs Day!
Category: Science
ATLAS Blog – Notes from Underground: Pixel Prototypes
The ATLAS Blog is currently focusing on the work that takes place when the LHC is not colliding protons for the experiments. The series is called "Notes from Underground". This week's post is from me and focuses on the work of developing new pixel detectors for upgrading ATLAS, specifically the IBL. You can read it here: I obviously recommend… Continue reading ATLAS Blog – Notes from Underground: Pixel Prototypes
Successful installation of the ATLAS Insertable B-Layer
On the 8th of May, I had some fantastic news in my inbox: the IBL, or Insertable B-Layer, had been taken 100m underground and installed into the ATLAS experiment at CERN! Unless you're an ATLAS physicist yourself, you probably don't know what I'm talking about when I mention the IBL. In short, it's an extra layer… Continue reading Successful installation of the ATLAS Insertable B-Layer
CERN opens doors for 60th celebrations
Last weekend was "Le CERN fête ses 60 ans avec ses voisins", or public open day for CERN's neighbours as part of the 60 years celebrations. If I'd known that I would definitely have been at CERN during the open day weekend, I would have volunteered to help, but instead I went along as a… Continue reading CERN opens doors for 60th celebrations