Particle beams
injected into Large hadron collider
Beams of particles have been
successfully injected into the Large Hadron Collider
for the first time since the LHC was shut down
last year.
The European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN)
reported on Monday that beams of protons and lead ions
were injected into the vast circular machine this weekend
and were successfully guided both clockwise and anti-clockwise
through two of the eight sectors. Each sector is
approximately 3.5 kilometers long.
The injection tests allow the scientists and engineers
working on the LHC to check the stability of the beam and
that various sectors are prepared for the particle beam.
An LHC spokesperson said this was the first time
particles have entered the LHC since it was shut down in
September 2008, shortly after it was switched on.
Scientists monitoring the tests described them as 'a
spectacular success'.
CERN said all settings and parameters of the machine
showed a perfect functioning. Scientists plan to
circulate the first circulating beam around the 27-kilometer
tunnel in November.
Scientists hope the multi-billion-dollar project could
reveal insights into the 'Big Bang' and the nature of the
Universe.
AKM/AKM
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