
University of Hyderabad in spotlight after LHC bags ‘science Oscar'
At the heart of this international collaboration is the team led by Dr Bhawna Gomber at the Centre for Advanced Studies in Electronics Science and Technology, School of Physics. Her group made significant contributions to the Compact Muon Solenoid experiment, one of the flagship detectors at the LHC.
Explaining CMS's role within the LHC, Dr Bhawna Gomber told TNIE, 'CMS is a general-purpose detector, playing a crucial role in probing both standard model phenomena and physics beyond the Standard Model. In fact, both CMS and its counterpart ATLAS confirmed the discovery of the Higgs boson in 2012.'
She added, 'Our team is involved in both physics analysis—particularly the search for dark matter using proton-proton collision data — and the development of firmware for the calorimeter trigger system, as part of the detector's Phase-2 upgrade.'
The group's work spans cutting-edge domains including data analysis, trigger electronics, and high-energy particle interactions, contributing significantly to the success of the CMS project.
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Indian Express
10 hours ago
- Indian Express
Matter's elusive dark twin: Most expensive substance in the universe
In 1930, theoretical physicist Paul Dirac was trying to reconcile quantum mechanics with Einstein's theory of relativity when his equations hinted at something strange: the existence of a 'mirror' particle identical to the electron, but with opposite charge. Its implications made him uneasy — that every particle has an antiparticle, and that perhaps the whole of nature is constructed in this way. Dirac's calculation wasn't to be a mere mathematical quirk. Two years later, American particle physicist Carl Anderson found the positron, the electron's antimatter twin, in cosmic ray experiments. It was a moment of rare scientific poetry: a particle predicted by pure mathematics, then seen in nature. Antimatter sounds like something from science fiction. And indeed, it has captured the imagination of writers from Star Trek (where it powers warp drives) to Angels and Demons (where it threatens to obliterate Vatican City). But antimatter is very real, though vanishingly rare in our universe. Whenever a particle meets its antiparticle, they annihilate in a flash of energy — converting all their mass, as per Einstein's , into pure light. That property makes antimatter the most energy-dense substance imaginable. A single gram could, in theory, produce as much energy as a nuclear bomb. But if it's so powerful, why don't we use it? And why don't we see it everywhere? Here lies one of the deepest mysteries in cosmology. The Big Bang, as we understand it, should have created equal amounts of matter and antimatter. But for reasons not yet fully known, the early universe tipped the scales ever so slightly toward matter — by just one part in a billion. That tiny excess is what makes up everything we see: stars, galaxies, people, planets. The rest annihilated with its antimatter counterpart in the early universe. Physicists are still trying to understand why the universe has this imbalance. One possibility is that antimatter behaves slightly differently than matter — a tiny asymmetry in how particles decay, known as CP violation. Experiments at CERN and Fermilab are probing these effects, but so far, no definitive explanation has emerged. The reality of antimatter: not just theory Despite its elusiveness, antimatter isn't merely theoretical. We make it — routinely. In fact, hospitals around the world use positrons (antimatter electrons) every day in PET scans. The 'P' in PET stands for 'positron,' and the scan works by injecting a radioactive tracer that emits positrons. When these encounter electrons in the body, they annihilate and emit gamma rays, which are detected to create precise images of tissues. Physicists at CERN's Antimatter Factory even trap anti-hydrogen atoms, composed of an antiproton and a positron, in magnetic fields for a few milliseconds at a time, to study their properties. The dream is to answer a simple but profound question: does antimatter fall down like regular matter, or does it somehow respond differently to gravity? Early experiments suggest it falls the same way, but the precision isn't yet conclusive. Energy source or weapon? Harnessing antimatter sounds like a sci-fi superpower, and indeed, the energy from matter-antimatter annihilation could, in theory, power spacecraft far more efficiently than any rocket we've built. But there's a catch: antimatter is mind-bogglingly expensive. Producing a single gram would cost about $60 trillion using today's particle accelerators. Worse, storing it safely is a nightmare. Let it touch anything, and boom, it annihilates. That hasn't stopped the speculation. NASA has funded studies on antimatter propulsion, suggesting it could one day shorten interstellar travel. But for now, it remains out of reach, a gleaming prize at the edge of possibility. Antimatter in space Cosmic rays from deep space occasionally strike Earth's upper atmosphere, producing short-lived showers of antimatter particles. The International Space Station even carries an instrument called the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer, scanning for signs of antimatter nuclei that could hint at entire regions of the universe made of antimatter — a speculative idea, but one not yet ruled out. Neutron stars and black hole jets may also generate antimatter in tiny amounts, adding to the cosmic fireworks. But overall, the universe appears matter-dominated. Why nature chose this option, why there's something instead of nothing, remains among the deepest riddles in physics. Final Reflections In Star Trek, antimatter is a tame servant of human ambition. In reality, it's a fleeting, elusive shadow of the particles we know. Dirac's equations suggested a universe with perfect symmetry, but nature, like a mischievous artist, left a flaw in the mirror. The story of antimatter reminds us that physics isn't just about numbers or formulas. It's about imagination, daring, and a relentless curiosity about the hidden sides of reality. Somewhere in the collision of matter and anti-matter lies a spark — of annihilation, yes, but also of wonder. Shravan Hanasoge is an astrophysicist at the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research.
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First Post
a day ago
- First Post
Have scientists decoded why the universe exists? Cern study points to matter-antimatter asymmetry
The finding offers vital clues to the long-standing mystery of why the universe is composed predominantly of matter, rather than being annihilated by an equal amount of antimatter read more A new study has shed light on one of humankind's fundamental queries: Why does the universe exist? Image courtesy: Nasa A new study at CERN has provided critical insights into one of the most fundamental questions in physics: why does anything exist at all? Researchers working on the Large Hadron Collider beauty (LHCb) experiment have observed a rare form of symmetry violation in the decays of beauty baryons– particles containing a bottom quark. The finding offers vital clues to the long-standing mystery of why the universe is composed predominantly of matter, rather than being annihilated by an equal amount of antimatter. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The study, published in Nature, reports the observation of charge–parity (CP) violation in a baryonic decay process, marking a significant development in the quest to understand the imbalance between matter and antimatter in the early universe. What did the scientists observe? The experiment focused on a specific decay of the beauty baryon, into a proton, a kaon (K−), and two pions (π+ and π−). This decay can occur via two different quark-level pathways: one involving a bottom-to-up (b → u) transition and another involving a bottom-to-strange (b → s) transition. Crucially, the researchers found that these two processes do not behave symmetrically when matter is swapped for antimatter. This violation of CP symmetry is a direct indication that the laws of physics are not entirely the same for matter and antimatter– a foundational requirement for explaining why the universe didn't simply self-destruct in a flash of mutual annihilation shortly after the Big Bang. Why is CP violation so important? CP violation had previously been observed in the decays of mesons– particles made of a quark and an antiquark. However, baryons (made of three quarks) are less explored in this context. The new findings from the LHCb collaboration represent the first clear evidence of CP violation in baryon decays, expanding the frontier of known symmetry-breaking phenomena. This asymmetry is a necessary component in explaining the observed dominance of matter in the universe. Without it, the Standard Model predicts that equal amounts of matter and antimatter would have been produced in the early universe– leading to their mutual destruction.


News18
2 days ago
- News18
Why CERN, The World's Largest Physics Lab, Has A Statue Of Lord Shiva In Nataraja Pose
The Nataraja statue at CERN is more than a religious figure. It's a symbol of the constant energy, movement, and transformation within the universe For centuries, Lord Shiva has been worshipped as a powerful deity in Hinduism, representing both creation and destruction. From the beginning of life to its end, the concept of Shiva is deeply rooted in the cycle of the universe. While spiritual seekers see him as the ultimate energy, some scientists have also tried to understand this concept through the lens of modern physics. It is no surprise then, that the world's most advanced physics laboratory, CERN in Switzerland, houses a statue of Lord Shiva. This unique blend of faith and science has intrigued many across the world. In 2004, the Government of India gifted a 2-metre-tall bronze statue of Nataraja, the dancing form of Lord Shiva, to CERN. The statue was officially unveiled on June 18 that year. For many, the presence of a religious icon in a science laboratory raised eyebrows. But CERN and several physicists offered a profound explanation for this installation. Below the statue is a plaque quoting renowned physicist Fritjof Capra, who explored the parallels between Hindu philosophy and quantum physics in his book The Tao of Physics. He wrote: 'Thousands of years ago, Indian artists created visual images of dancing Shiva in a beautiful series of bronze statues. In our time, physicists have used the most advanced technology to portray the cosmic dance of subatomic particles. The metaphor of the cosmic dance unites ancient mythology and modern physics." The Nataraja statue at CERN is more than a religious figure. It's a symbol of the constant energy, movement, and transformation within the universe. The dance of Shiva represents the never-ending cosmic cycle, creation, preservation, destruction, illusion, and liberation. Fritjof Capra explains that Shiva's cosmic dance mirrors the findings of quantum field theory, where particles are continuously created and destroyed in an energy dance. According to him, 'For modern physics, Shiva's dance is the dance of subatomic matter. It is the natural dance of all existence." Scientists Draw Inspiration from Shiva CERN scientists and scholars have often shared how the statue of Lord Shiva serves as a source of inspiration. One researcher once said that the statue represents the ever-changing nature of the universe. During the day, when the lab is bustling with activity, Shiva's presence blends with the rhythm of life. And in the stillness of the night, it reminds researchers of the deeper truths revealed through their work. The flaming ring (Prabhamandal) around Shiva symbolises the continuous cycle of the universe, where everything is born, exists, and dissolves. Objections and CERN's Response However, not everyone welcomed the installation. Some conservative Christian groups questioned why a Hindu god was placed at a European research institute. These concerns escalated especially after the 2013 discovery of the Higgs boson, nicknamed the 'God Particle'. CERN responded by stating that India is one of its observer nations, and the statue is a symbol of multiculturalism and global collaboration. Scientists from all backgrounds work at CERN, and such symbols help foster a shared space of learning and respect. The Deeper Meaning Behind Shiva's Dance Each element of the Nataraja statue holds symbolic meaning: Creation: The sound of the Damru represents the origin of the universe. Preservation: The raised right hand in Abhaya Mudra signifies protection. Destruction: The fire in Shiva's upper left hand reflects destruction to make way for the new. Ego and Ignorance: The demon Apasmara crushed beneath Shiva's foot symbolises the defeat of ego and ignorance. Liberation: His raised left leg points towards Moksha, the ultimate freedom from the cycle of birth and death. Cosmic Cycle: The ring of fire around the statue captures the eternal rhythm of the cosmos. News18's viral page features trending stories, videos, and memes, covering quirky incidents, social media buzz from india and around the world, Also Download the News18 App to stay updated! tags : cern Lord Shiva Nataraja viral news view comments Location : Switzerland First Published: July 21, 2025, 15:23 IST News viral Why CERN, The World's Largest Physics Lab, Has A Statue Of Lord Shiva In Nataraja Pose Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.