Tag: nuclear physics
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To make sense of cosmic rays, CERN team tracks a fragile nucleus
The fragile deuteron and cosmic rays Cosmic rays have long fascinated scientists: high-energy particles that voyage through space and collide with Earth’s atmosphere, creating cascades of secondary particles. To interpret these events, researchers at CERN are turning a precise eye on a surprisingly delicate object in the nucleus of light elements—the deuteron. This simple, two-nucleon…
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CERN tracks fragile deuteron to unlock cosmic ray mysteries
Introduction: a tiny nucleus with outsized importance Cosmic rays are energetic messengers from far corners of the universe, constantly bombarding Earth. To interpret their signals, scientists need a precise understanding of the tiny building blocks that make up matter and how these blocks behave under extreme conditions. At CERN, researchers are focusing on one of…
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Tracking the Fragile Nucleus: How CERN Probes Cosmic Rays with the Deuteron
Introduction: The Quest to Understand Cosmic Rays Cosmic rays have fascinated scientists for decades. These high-energy particles travel through space and strike Earth’s atmosphere, creating cascades of secondary particles that reveal clues about distant stars and violent events in the universe. At CERN, researchers are pushing the boundaries of our understanding by focusing on one…
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Ultra-low temperatures: cooling the path to new physics at a premier nuclear facility
Introduction: a chill at the frontier of physics In a world-renowned nuclear science installation, scientists are turning to ultra-low temperatures to peer into the fundamental forces that shape our universe. By cooling matter to near absolute zero, researchers can observe quantum phenomena with unprecedented clarity and control. This approach opens doors to discoveries about particle…
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First-Ever Probe Inside a Molecule’s Nucleus with Electrons Reveals Magnetic Map of a Radioactive Core
Groundbreaking Experiment Sheds Light on Nuclear Magnetism In a landmark achievement, physicists have peer inside the nucleus of a molecule using electrons as a probe—a feat previously thought nearly impossible. By guiding high-energy electrons through a rare molecule, researchers mapped how magnetism is distributed within a radioactive nucleus, offering a new window into the heart…