Latvian Laser Centre has become a partner of CERN

The Laser Centre of the Faculty of Physics, Mathematics, and Optometry (FPMO) of the University of Latvia (UL) has become a partner of the European Organisation for Nuclear Research CERN Antihydrogen Experiment AEgIS.

The agreement between the University of Latvia and CERN provides for the involvement of the Laser Centre in the development and implementation of a position detector, analysis of the interaction of the laser with atoms and antiatoms, as well as implementation of other sections of the experiment.

AEgIS collaborators have joined forces to create an antihydrogen atomic beam that would operate in pulse mode.

“This beam will be used to clarify the strength of gravitational interaction between matter and antimatter,” explains Professor Mārcis Auziņš, Head of the UL FPMO Laser Centre.

The CERN Antihydrogen Experiment collaboration consists of experts from 17 different scientific institutions in Norway, Poland, France, Czech Republic, India, Russia, Switzerland, Italy, and now Latvia. The partners represent various fields, including particle physics, laser physics, plasma physics, cryogenics, physical chemistry, molecular physics, engineering, chemistry, computer science, material science, and other fields.

“The involvement of researchers of the UL FPMO Laser Centre in the collaboration of the CERN Antihydrogen Experiment indicates that the experience of Latvian scientists in atomic physics, laser spectroscopy, and quantum sensors is considered by CERN’s collaboration partners to be an important contribution to the joint research program,” says M. Auziņš.

The direct objective of AEgIS is to measure the acceleration of free fall using antihydrogen. The experiment is expected to accurately measure the gravitational interaction between matter and antimatter. Work has started on the creation of an antihydrogen atomic beam, after that measurements of gravity will be carried out. The AEgIS experiment consists of several components that will not only contribute to the development of a particular study but will also open up possibilities for other related research.

Laser Centre is a research unit of UL FPMO, the largest laser laboratory in Latvia. Laser Centre scientists are working on research in atomic, molecular, and chemical physics, astrophysics, as well as engaging in other research related to laser applications.

Source: labsoflatvia.com