This pixel detector on the Large Hadron Collider will track the particles emitted by the collision of protons when each proton is traveling at nearly the speed of light in opposite directions.  The particle emitted in these high-energy collisions reveals the internal workings of the atom.  Powerful technology is required to look deep inside the subatomic world, just as powerful technology is required to look deep into the universe.

The atom is as tiny as the universe is massive, so it is no wonder that vast amounts of energy and technology are required to refine the theories and ideas that describe them both!  On these scales, new terminology and ideas can become so complex that it is easy to overlook all of the connections.

© CERN 2008. Used with permission.

The silicon pixel detector attached to the LHC.


Read

Read CERN's booklet regarding the design, function, and power of the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) as it relates to everything we know so far about the atom.

All of the ideas, current understanding, and technology required to investigate further are explained in this text. There are some very amazing facts on the LHC machine as well.


© CERN 2008. Used with permission.

If you have time, watch the CERN Development Video which highlights the development of CERN over the past 50 years.