THE ATLAS EXPERIMENT AT CERN
The largest particle physics experiment in the world.
by Michele Bienias
 Who: Photographer Peter McCreadyWhen: September 19, 2005 at 10:30 am.What: The ATLAS experiment, the largest and most elaborate particle physics experiment in the world. 
click here to view site
Level 4 and Level 10 of UX15, also known as the ATLAS cavern, the 100 meter underground construction site of the ATLAS experiment as well as UJ13, the entrance to the LHC tunnel. 
click here to view fullscreenATLAS is designed to explore the fundamental nature of matter and the basic forces that shape our universe. It is one of four big experiments being prepared for the Large Hadron Collider (LHC), a particle accelerator ring currently being installed in a 50-150 meter underground tunnel 27 kilometers in circumference along the border between Switzerland and France. 
click here to view fullscreenThe ATLAS detector will search for new discoveries in the head on collisions of protons of extraordinarily high energy. The particle beams are steered to collide in the middle of the ATLAS detector. The debris of the collisions reveal fundamental particle processes. The energy density in these high-energy collisions is similar to the particle collision energy in the early universe less than a billionth of a second after the Big Bang 
click here to view fullscreenATLAS is the largest collaborative effort ever attempted in the physical sciences. There are 1800 physicists (including 400 students) participating from more than 150 universities and laboratories in 34 countries Where: The European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN) on the outskirts of Geneva, Switzerland.Why: The sheer scale of particle accelerator work at CERN has fascinated McCready for many years. “Capturing work in progress on the LHC through this medium was, for me, the perfect choice of entry for the World Wide Panorama’s recent ‘Energy’ event!” he says. “An absolute jaw-dropping experience from start to finish …” How: Hardware - D1x, 10.5mm, 303SPH, 754 MDeVe (protected by a Tuffpak 0729 en route from Belfast to Geneva!), PMD660 and a PowerBook G4 17”. Software - Capture, Stitcher, PhotoShop CS2, CubicConverter and Peak Pro. Special thanks to all at CERN, in particular, Sophie Sanchis, Press Office, and Dino De Paoli, Experimental Area Team.
Email: peter[at]petermccready[dot]com
| 
