How CERN's collider achieved modern alchemy—turning lead to gold in a trillionth of a gram
'It is impressive to see that our detectors can handle head-on collisions producing thousands of particles, while also being sensitive to collisions where only a few particles are produced at a time, enabling the study of electromagnetic 'nuclear transmutation' processes,' said Marco Van Leeuwen, ALICE (A Large Ion Collider Experiment) spokesperson, in a statement.
Scientists observed a real-life transmutation of lead into gold through a new mechanism involving near-miss interactions between atomic nuclei. But each of these gold particles is the size of a nucleus, and lasted barely a second before being destroyed in the collider. During the LHC's second run between 2015 and 2018, around 86 billion gold nuclei were created from smashing lead atoms at 99.999993 percent the speed of light.
New Delhi: CERN's announcement on May 8 that its Large Hadron Collider (LHC) can turn lead to gold was the Holy Grail for alchemists from the middle ages. This is the biggest discovery since the 'god particle' (Higgs Boson) and the 'beauty particle' (bottom quark).
ThePrint explains the science behind the magic.
Also Read: Search for an Indian Carl Sagan is on. Science influencers are being trained in labs and likes
How it was done
CERN caught the gold bug back as a side quest nearly two decades ago while working on the fundamental particles (smallest known building blocks of the universe) and forces (four forces of nature responsible for how matter behaves), when it started running the LHC. During the second run, the LHC produced 29 picograms of gold. A picogram is one trillionth of a gram.
In the third run, which has been operational since 2022, the amount produced was almost double that of the second run but trillions of times less than what would be required to make a piece of jewellery.
The third run, which will continue till 2026, has higher collision energy compared to its second run, improved detector performance, and collected more data.
The detector's zero degree calorimeters (ZDCs) counted photon–nucleus interactions that led to the emission of zero, one, two or three protons, along with at least one neutron.
ZDCs—which are specialised calorimeters used to detect and measure very small particles or radiation—are associated with the production of lead, thallium, mercury and gold.
'While less frequent than the creation of thallium or mercury, the results show that the LHC currently produces gold at a maximum rate of about 89,000 nuclei per second from lead–lead collisions at the ALICE collision point,' the CERN statement read.
A flash of gold
The gold nuclei emerged from the collision with very high energy and hit the LHC beam pipe or collimators (devices that shape or direct beams of light or radiation to narrow them or limit their speed) at various points downstream, where they immediately fragment into single protons, neutrons and other particles.
In this form, the gold exists for just a tiny fraction of a second.
'Thanks to the unique capabilities of the ALICE ZDCs, the present analysis is the first to systematically detect and analyse the signature of gold production at the LHC experimentally,' said Uliana Dmitrieva of the ALICE collaboration in a statement.
The biggest discovery that came from LHC was the Higgs Boson in 2012. The discovery provided evidence of how particles gain mass, proving the existence of the Higgs Field, which is key to the Standard Model of particle physics.
However, in recent years, scientists have questioned the lack of any big discovery from the LHC.
Also Read: 47 yrs ago, this Indian-origin physicist asked Feynman a question. He hasn't looked back since
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
a day ago
- Time of India
CERN to space, I've always chased big questions: Sławosz Uznański
From being a particle physicist with a deep-rooted career at CERN (European Organization for Nuclear Research) to preparing for a journey to the International Space Station (ISS), Polish engineer and ESA astronaut Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski embodies the fusion of science and exploration. Now set to fly on the Axiom-4 mission , he brings experience from CERN to the challenges of human spaceflight. As Poland's first representative on the ISS, much like India's Shubhanshu Shukla, his mission is not just scientific—it's symbolic. In an exclusive interview to TOI, he reflects on the intersections between particle physics and space exploration , the demands of astronaut training, and more. Excerpts: How do you see particle physics and space exploration intersecting in the future? With my experience at CERN, I've witnessed how particle physics can drive space exploration. Both fields address profound questions: what is the universe made of, how did it begin, and what is its fate? A key example is CERN's Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer (AMS) aboard the ISS, a major experiment probing cosmic origins. Technologies developed for particle accelerators—especially in radiation physics—are critical for astronaut safety on long-duration missions. Materials tested under extreme conditions at CERN are improving spacecraft durability, while autonomous systems developed for complex experiments are revolutionising remote mission operations. These advances also benefit Earth—enhancing medical treatments and sustainable technology. It's a thrilling time as innovation flows between science and space. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch vàng CFDs với sàn môi giới tin cậy IC Markets Tìm hiểu thêm Undo What excites you most about being in ESA's astronaut reserve & how has it prepared you? The most exciting part is being at the cutting edge of space science, collaborating with brilliant minds across Europe. My engineering background, combined with training from ESA and scientific work at CERN, has prepared me well for the Ax-4 mission. Every element—from research to operations—has equipped me for human spaceflight. It's a privilege to contribute to such a mission and help shape the future of exploration. How do you transition from remote Earth expeditions to challenges in space? Outdoor exploration has taught me resilience, adaptability, and preparation—skills vital for spaceflight. Whether mountaineering or conducting zero-gravity experiments, it's about staying focused and solution-driven. The endurance built on Earth helps me embrace the demands of space. The drive behind my scientific and exploratory pursuits is the same: a passion for the unknown. I've always chased the big questions. What moment inspired your path toward the ISS? One pivotal moment was working at CERN on the LHC's powering systems, and later, as an Engineer in Charge. Operating the world's most complex scientific machine for a global community of researchers was profoundly motivating. Moving into space research and ISS collaboration felt like a natural next step. The Ax-4 mission is a continuation of that journey—using science to unlock universal mysteries and contribute to something larger than myself. How will your Ax-4 mission impact Poland's role in space research? Poland is steadily gaining momentum in space research, and the Ax-4 mission is a milestone. It showcases our scientific potential and inspires investment in STEM. By conducting space-based studies, we highlight Poland's contributions to international exploration. This mission isn't just about science—it's about inspiring future generations and positioning Poland as a serious space player. I'm proud to represent my country in its first mission to the ISS.
The Print
4 days ago
- The Print
TN confident of retaining Apple despite US tariff threat—state planning commission official J Jeyaranjan
'Finally, everything comes down to the economics of it. The supply chain we have developed here, and what is developing now is as good as in China. The supply chain is not there (US) and they have to create it. You cannot create it overnight. Even if you create it, (the prices) will be four or five times higher than what they are now,' Jeyaranjan said to ThePrint. In a conversation with ThePrint, Tamil Nadu State Planning Commission's Executive Vice-Chairperson J. Jeyaranjan said it was impossible for Apple to shift the manufacturing units from Tamil Nadu to the US, given the cost of manufacturing. Chennai: Despite US President Donald Trump's threat to impose a 25 percent tariff on iPhones not made in the US, Tamil Nadu remains confident of retaining Apple, citing the strong supply chain it has built in the state over the years. According to the state's industries department, Tamil Nadu accounts for 70-80 percent of the iPhones sourced from India, where only Tamil Nadu and Karnataka manufacture iPhones. TN is also home to Apple's key vendors Foxconn, Pegatron, and Tata Electronics, while Karnataka hosts Wistron. According to Jeyaranajan, Tamil Nadu is on its way to becoming a $5 trillion economy by 2047. 'The Tamil Nadu chief minister asked us to work out where we will be by 2047 before going to the NITI Aayog meeting. I expected the economy to be around $4 trillion, but when we ran the numbers—assuming the same growth rate, inflation, and dollar value—you'll be surprised to learn that Tamil Nadu is set to become a $5 trillion economy by 2047, the 100th year of independence,' Jeyaranjan said, adding that this was a reasonable projection. When asked about the HCL-Foxconn semiconductor joint venture setting up its wafers manufacturing plant in Uttar Pradesh, which was originally planned to be set up in Tamil Nadu, Jeyarajan said that the state was facing challenges in terms of allocating space for industries. However, he added that despite the constraints, companies are coming in a big way to Tamil Nadu. 'Whoever has already come here is staying here, and new companies are also coming here. For instance, Global Capability Centres were not there in the city and we made conscious efforts to bring them here, and today, we are second in terms of hiring spaces for work to establish GCCs. The size of export was hardly around a billion USD in 2021 and today it has crossed 15 billion USD,' Jeyaranjan said. Also read: Israeli film fest in Chennai postponed amid backlash for 'legitimising' Netanyahu govt's actions in Gaza How Tamil Nadu will become a $5 trillion economy After DMK came to power in 2021, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin announced that he would make Tamil Nadu a trillion USD economy by 2030. When asked about Tamil Nadu's current progress toward the $1 trillion target, Jeyarajan said the state is on track to achieve it, though recent projections suggest it may be delayed by a year. Stating that Tamil Nadu is one of the fastest growing economies in the country, he said, 'One trillion USD economy is not a fancy number, but a consciously set target with respect to the growth of the state. In fact, our aim is to triple the state's GSDP,' Jeyarajan said. He also explained to ThePrint how Tamil Nadu will achieve the $1 trillion target by 2030 and $5 trillion by 2047. 'Unlike other states, the growth process in Tamil Nadu is not driven by current economic policies alone. The growth is conditioned and guided by the social change we have brought in the past 100 years or so. By democratising education, we have empowered people from various communities across various sections of the society. Once you start growing, you cannot derail it or stop it,' he said. Jeyaranjan said that the long-term efforts of the state government over the years have now started to pay 'dividends'. 'If you look at our Gross Enrolment Ratio, India stands at around 26-27 percent, while Tamil Nadu is at 50-51 percent. This is because the state has successfully extended education to all sections of society,' he said. He also explained that the state government's policies empowering women has paid off in the long run, which can be seen in college enrolment and employment numbers. 'The state government provides an incentive of Rs 1,000 per month to girls who studied in government schools and pursued higher education. As a result, girl enrollment increased by 30% last year. As a continuation, in Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission, the state has 30 percent reservation for women. Now the number of women getting into TNPSC is more,' Jeyaranjan said, adding that the number of women in TNPSC has surpassed 30 percent. The state government has also been implementing a slew of other schemes to empower women, including Rs 1,000 in monthly financial assistance and free bus travel for women. He also gave an example of how the government has allocated funds to administer HPV vaccines to all girl children. 'It will prevent so many cases of cervical cancer. You will reap the benefits only after 30 years. That is the kind of investments we make,' he said. Why Tamil Nadu lags compared to other southern states in IT Although Tamil Nadu is considered a major contributor to software exports, it still has fewer IT companies compared to Bengaluru in Karnataka and Hyderabad in Telangana. On the limited opportunities in the IT sector, despite establishing the state's first IT park in 1996, Jeyarajan said that Tamil Nadu has been facing certain challenges in attracting more IT companies. 'When the IT revolution came, during the first 5 years, we slept. When the first IT park was built in 1996, we had already lost 5 years. By that time, Bangalore was ahead and it already had the advantage of having Bharat Electronics and the Indian Institute of Science. Most of the founders of IT companies were from Bengaluru. Since it was a containment town, it had a cosmopolitan culture compared to us. Their lifestyle was different, but here we were more conservative,' he explained. When it comes to Hyderabad, he said that the amount of land available in the state's headquarters was a point of attraction for IT firms. Jeyaranjan also pointed to the lack of evening and night life in Chennai as one of the reasons for fewer IT companies in the state compared to other southern states. Nevertheless, he said that there are plans to improve the evening and night life in Chennai and policies to that effect will be announced soon. (Edited by Zinnia Ray Chaudhuri) Also read: PMK founder Ramadoss says son Anbumani 'held his feet & cried' for tie-up with BJP for 2024 LS polls
The Print
4 days ago
- The Print
Musk's exit from Trump administration was inevitable. His shock-and-awe stint was unsustainable
Musk's exit from Trump administration was something everybody saw coming. His shock-and-awe stint, chain-sawing its way through bureaucracy, was unsustainable. Tesla was taking a big hit. His dislike for Trump's 'big, beautiful' spending bill was the perfect getaway. Trump 1.0 saw at least a dozen exits. It's two down already. Indian cyber scammers are targeting Japan's elderly. Act now, before it becomes a global threat After the US, Australia in 2023-24, Indian cyber scammers are targeting the elderly in Japan. ThePrint's report shows how massive amounts were stolen and converted into crypto. Stronger transnational strategy, uniform cyber laws, faster information sharing are urgently needed. Tackle the menace before Indian scam artists become a global threat.
