Big Science

Went to Grenoble (France) and Geneva (Switzerland) recently. From 18th to 22nd June to be exact. The trip is organised by the Institute of Physics.

In France, we went to the I'LL, ESRF and CNRS. We saw cutting edge technology like superconducting magnets, high tech cooling (to a few milli Kelvins!), magnetic imaging technology and several other experiments involving crystal growing, X-rays and neutron beams. We also visited a synchrotron (800+ metres in circumference!). Basically, the sychrotron accelerates electrons to high velocities and makes use of the X-rays generated by the centripetal acceleration of the electrons to do experiments. However, what I think is the most impressive part of the France visit is the visit to the I'LL. At the I'LL, we literally went to a nuclear reactor (57MW!). I mean, how many times do u get to visit a nuclear plant in your whole life? According to the scientists there, the reactor actually heats up a nearby river by 1 degree celcius!

In Switzerland, we went to the world famous CERN. There we visited the soon-to-be operational LHC. At 27 km in circumference, it is impressive. Though you don't see it physically since it is mostly underground. We saw things like 15m tall electromagnets fited with muon detectors, lead-perspex crystals and a whole load of high tech stuff.

With each visit to the research institutes, there is a talk and a professional scientist leading a small group around. My impression was that the research institutes were very interested in letting people know about their work and the scientists are very patient in explaining their work to layman like us. It was very good. In a way, it also reaffirmed my determination to do Physics.