In the world of physics, the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN) is a prominent name. CERN is the world's largest particle physics laboratory, based in Switzerland, where scientists from different countries work together to unravel the mysteries of the universe. India and CERN have a long-standing history of collaboration in particle physics research. In this article, we will delve into the various collaborative efforts between India and CERN.
India's Association with CERN:
India has been an active member of CERN since 1991. In 2016, India became an associate member of CERN, becoming the first non-European country to achieve this status. The collaboration between India and CERN has led to significant advancements in the field of particle physics.
In 2004, India was granted the status of 'Observer' at CERN, an honorary designation. However, its subsequent promotion to 'Associate Member' status has opened up new opportunities. Indian companies can now vie for lucrative engineering contracts, and Indian individuals can apply for staff positions at the organization. The associate membership will require an annual fee of approximately Rs. 78 crore, but it does not come with voting rights on Council decisions.
Indian Scientists at CERN:
The Indian scientific community has played a crucial role in the research conducted at CERN. Indian scientists have contributed to the discovery of the Higgs boson particle, which led to the award of the Nobel Prize in Physics in 2013. Indian scientists have also contributed to the development of the Compact Muon Solenoid (CMS) experiment, one of the four main experiments at CERN's Large Hadron Collider (LHC).
Indian Collaboration on CERN's Experiments:
Indian scientists have been working on several experiments at CERN. The experiments range from exploring the properties of the Higgs boson particle to the study of antimatter. Some of the notable experiments where Indian scientists have played a critical role include:
- CMS Experiment: Indian scientists have been involved in the CMS experiment since its inception. The CMS experiment aims to detect the Higgs boson particle and study its properties.
- ALICE Experiment: Indian scientists have been part of the ALICE experiment, which aims to study the properties of quark-gluon plasma, a state of matter that existed soon after the Big Bang.
- ISOLDE Experiment: Indian scientists have contributed to the ISOLDE experiment, which is involved in the study of the properties of atomic nuclei.
- NA62 Experiment: Indian scientists have contributed to the NA62 experiment, which aims to study the rare decay of the charged kaon particle.
Indian Contribution to CERN's Technology:
Apart from research, Indian scientists have also contributed to the development of technology at CERN. Indian companies have supplied components for various experiments at CERN, including the CMS detector. In 2017, India's Department of Atomic Energy signed a memorandum of understanding with CERN to contribute to the construction of the High-Luminosity LHC (HL-LHC) project.
Future Collaboration between India and CERN:
India and CERN's collaboration has been fruitful over the years, leading to significant advancements in particle physics research. The collaboration is set to continue in the future, with India contributing to CERN's upcoming projects. India is set to contribute to the construction of the HL-LHC project, which aims to increase the luminosity of the LHC by a factor of ten. Indian scientists will also be part of the Compact Linear Collider (CLIC) project, which aims to build a new particle accelerator.
Conclusion:
India and CERN's collaboration in the field of particle physics has been a success story. The Indian scientific community has played a crucial role in the research conducted at CERN. Indian scientists have contributed to the discovery of the Higgs boson particle and the development of the CMS experiment. Indian companies have supplied components for various experiments at CERN, including the CMS detector. The collaboration between India and CERN is set to continue in the future, with India contributing to CERN's upcoming projects.