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The Super Magnet
It looked rather like a procession, the way the ATLAS ECT Cryostat 2 was driven to its destination last Wednesday and Thursday (June 28-29). A procession in honour of HIGGS, the Holy Grail of particle physics. Theater Adhoc was there, complete with film crew …. Hunting for Higgs.
The story goes that all elementary particles derive their most distinguishing characteristic (their mass) from HIGGS. Which is why HIGGS is also called The God Particle. And, just like with the ‘real God’, in the case of HIGGS no one has ever yet been able to scientifically demonstrate Him/Her/It. If the international physics community has its way, however, that is soon going to change.
Our film crew in action. On the tower wagon, cameraman Sander Snoep (with a CERN employee). At left, soundman Jac Vleeshouwers.
Although the act of transporting the ATLAS ECT Cryostat 2 is only a footnote in comparison to the entire operation, when we saw it up close the monster did not give that impression at all. On the contrary. The expression ‘special transport’ seemed a euphemism in all respects. The 130 ton hulk (measuring 11metres in diameter and 550 cubic meters in volume) was hauled across the uneven CERN terrain on a semi trailer with 128 computer-driven wheels that with the help of a hydraulic hanging system managed to keep the mastodon level at all times. What’s more, there were some special moments for the romantic spectator when the Super Magnet passed by a couple of street signs bearing the more than merely symbolic names ‘Route E. Rutherford’ and ‘Route A. Einstein’.
Witnesses to the transport spectacle who prefer antiquarian to religious metaphors spoke of the Trojan horse – which sounded rather painful in light of a recent affair at CERN in which the project was delayed for several months due to inferior components provided by a rival research centre from the United States. ECT project director Herman Ten Kate (at right, with yellow helmet) assured us, however, that his ‘horse’ will definitely contain a ‘vacuum’ when the project starts.
Next week the ECT Cryostat 2 will descend to its ultimate position in the ATLAS detector, 100 meters below ground. Rumour has it that Wagner’s ‘Thus Spoke Zarathustra’ will be broadcast over the CERN terrain for the occasion.
that thing is huge! I dont even understand what its used for
Comment by American Magnet - 15/08/2008 - 20:38
that is masive! must have been quite an experience witnessing the transportation of this vital part for ATLAS
Comment by Daniel Brain - 10/09/2008 - 12:45
Hi I was watching a program on T.V. and was just wondering about this theory, and have was not sure why you would need to make a bigger impact on the particles?
And with this question in mind.
Well I would like to offer a thought, if I may. When this test is done, was someone looking for shadows?
When thinking of what the Higgs factor is, a shadow has mass but it weighs less than the particle or person or thing that cast the shadow, and it is different depending on the vantage point in witch the shadow is viewed. Thus it will look larger or smaller in mass.
My understanding of the visual world, is everything has a shadow, even when light is everywhere, a shadow is still cast.
With infinite smallness, it is only a question of when we will be able to find it. Not if…
And with a charge of one or another will you also be looking for something that is neutral? or that has no charge.
Comment by David - 22/07/2010 - 23:23