The role of Georgian scientists in the experiments conducted at CERN

Newspaper “24 Saati”, December 30

Author: Nino Barabadze

From 2012, more Georgian scientists will have opportunities to participate in scientific research projects conducted at European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN). The document of Joint-Cooperation in High-Energy Physics and Related Technologies was signed between CERN and Government of Georgia. In the frame of this document Georgian scientists will be able to participate in international scientific researches and to support the development of scientific fields in Georgia.

In the beginning of 2012, Director-General of European Organization for Nuclear Research Rolf-Dieter Heuer will visit Georgia and another important document will be signed on scientific cooperation. The new document envisages the exchange of scientists.  Foreign scientist will be able to visit Georgia and hold public lectures.

European Organization for Nuclear Research was established at the boarder of France and Switzerland in 1954 by 18 countries of the world. About 8000 scientists from 85 countries work at CERN. Georgian scientists are among them. CERN is an international laboratory for particle physicists, providing some of the most technologically advanced facilities for the research into the basic building blocks of the Universe.

As Minister Dimitri Shashkini stated, the participation of Georgian scientists in the international scientific projects is very important for further development of scientific fields in Georgia. The Government of Georgia has elaborated a comprehensive strategy for development and popularization of science, 25 million GEL has been allocated specifically for science. This is large amount for a small country. The goal of this strategy is to engage Georgia in those scientific and research activities that will bring tangible results. With this purpose, Georgian governments funds participation of Georgian scientists in important international projects.

How many Georgian scientists work at CERN?

We are proud, that currently, 33 Georgian scientists work for the CERN. Countries bigger than Georgia, have almost the same number of scientists represented at the organization.

Different scientific projects are run at CERN that produce concrete products and Georgian scientists contribute to these processes.  For example, IT specialists of Georgian technical University are taking part in conducting the Compact Muon Solenoid CMS experiment.

Our understanding of the Universe is about to change...

The Large Hadron Collider (LHC) was built to help scientists to answer key unresolved questions in particle physics. For the past few decades, physicists have been able to describe with increasing detail the fundamental particles that make up the Universe and the interactions between them. Georgian scientists and researchers have the opportunity to participate in different experiments under LHC project and contribute to this process.

Two beams of subatomic particles called "hadrons" – either protons or lead ions – travel in opposite directions inside the circular accelerator, gaining energy with every lap. Physicists use the LHC to recreate the conditions just after the Big Bang, by colliding the two beams head-on at very high energy. Teams of physicists from around the world then analyze the particles created in the collisions using special detectors in a number of experiments dedicated to the LHC.

There are many theories as to what will result from these collisions. For decades, the Standard Model of particle physics has served physicists well as a means of understanding the fundamental laws of Nature, but it does not tell the whole story. Only experimental data using the high energies reached by the LHC can push knowledge forward, challenging those who seek confirmation of established knowledge, and those who dare to dream beyond the paradigm.

For the ALICE experiment, the LHC will collide lead ions to recreate the conditions just after the Big Bang under laboratory conditions. The data obtained will allow physicists to study a state of matter known as quark‑gluon plasma, which is believed to have existed soon after the Big Bang.

 A collaboration of more than 1000 scientists from 30 countries including Georgia works on the ALICE experiment.