LSAClassOf2000

July 1st, 2013 at 11:45 AM ^

LongIsland.com had a short synopsis on how it works precisely, if you're like me and were interested:

"The team of scientists reports that each burst of their new gun lasts just 30 fermtoseconds (a femtosecond is equivalent to one quadrillionth of a second), but produces quadrillions of positrons—a comparable result to that achieved by CERN. In order to create those antiparticles, the accelerator fires a petawatt laser at inert helium gas, causing a stream of electrons to travel at intense speeds. The electrons are than directed at a sheet of metal foil, resulting in a burst of electron and positron emissions when the stream smashes into individual metal atoms; the particles and antiparticles are then separated with magnets."

 

strafe

July 1st, 2013 at 8:54 PM ^

I did research w/ in the same department (CUOS) as these guys for a semester.

Michigan is great tbh.