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Feature

Going with the particle flow

The particle flow algorithm joins smart programming with the high granularity of next-generation particle detectors to measure energies with unprecedented resolution

by Leah Hesla

Resolved that pictures of particle jets don’t have to be fuzzy or gnarled, scientists developed the particle flow algorithm, a paradigm for effectively teasing out each particle’s energy from another’s. To make it work, researchers expanded the tracking capabilities of the detector model, enabling it to measure energies with higher precision.

Around the World

Light through the wall – take 2

Preparations for ALPS II are in full swing

by Gerrit Hörentrup (DESY)

DESY’s ALPS experiment aims high by searching low, looking for lightweight particles in the low-energy range. The lightweight particles could clue us into the nature of dark matter or dark energy, and ALPS is being upgraded to make more precise measurements than it could before.

Director's Corner

Particle physics: opportunities for the future

by Barry Barish

The American Physical Society Division of Particles and Fields meeting at Brown University had a broad programme covering new results, special topics such as celebrating the Tevatron and plans for future projects. In my concluding remarks for the conference, I gave a personal view of future opportunities in particle physics.

Video of the week

Humboldt Professor Brian Foster

Video: Alexander von Humboldt Foundation

Brian Foster, Global Design Effort European Regional Director, recently began his tenure at DESY and the University of Hamburg as a recipient of the Alexander von Humboldt professorship. View this seven-minute video to learn about his research plans at DESY, the University and for the ILC.

In the News

  • from Physics World
    September 2011
    Pushing the Boundaries
    China’s Institute for High Energy Physics is one of the world’s leading particle-physics labs and has just completed the first part of a major neutrino facility at Daya Bay in the south of the country. [read page 8]
  • from Physics Today
    15 September 2011
    Neutrinos from Earth’s interior measure the planet’s radiogenic heating
    But it was not until 2005 that the KamLAND collaboration reported the first detection of geoneutrinos. Now with five times as much data in hand the international collaboration has reported its first substantive geophysics result.
  • from physicsworld.com
    12 September 2011
    Particle physicist teams up with violin virtuosos
    In a new collaboration the two activities are about to meet head on with the internationally renowned composer Edward Cowie teaming up with particle physicist Brian Foster and the violinist Jack Liebeck.
  • from Science News
    9 September 2011
    Last Words
    Tevatron’s data may have more to say even after the atom smasher shuts down