First collision between lead ion particles in LHC

The European Nuclear Research Center (CERN) on November 8 reported the first collisions between lead-ion particles in a large particle accelerator (LHC).

In an announcement the same day, CERN stressed that lead ion experiments are opening up a new phase in LHC research, allowing the study of matter, which existed in the first moments of the universe. .

Scientists hope these collisions will be strong enough to produce " quark - gluon plasma " - an entity with temperatures much higher than the Sun's temperature.

Researching this substance could allow for a deeper penetration into the secrets of matter and uncover the mystery of the universe's appearance. This is one of the first results of the second study in the LHC.

Previously, on November 4, scientists suspended the proton beam collisions in opposite directions in the 27km LHC tunnel, located 100 meters below the ground in the border area between France. and Switzerland, and firing lead ion particles into the LHC.

These experiments will last until early December this year. After that, LHC will have two months for technical maintenance and since February 2011, scientists will restore high-energy proton beam collisions.