Talks and shows

Anatomy of a particle detector

Claire Malone explores the anatomy of particle detectors, taking the ATLAS experiment at CERN as a specific example.

 

Event image via NPL

Particle detectors are to particle physicists as telescopes are to astronomers. They allow us to open a window into the inner workings of the Universe at the smallest length scales to understand it in terms of its fundamental constituents. But how exactly do they reveal to us the properties of the subatomic world in such extraordinary detail and with such remarkable agreement with theoretical predictions?

Claire MaIone will explore these incredible feats of engineering, with a particular focus on the ATLAS experiment at CERN. To digest the enormous flow of data produced by the collisions, ATLAS uses an advanced “trigger” system to tell the detector which particle interactions to record and which to ignore. Complex data acquisition and computing systems are then used to analyse the collision events recorded. Claire will conclude by looking to the future at what new technologies particle detectors are employing so that we can continue exploring the subject of the building blocks of our universe in ever greater detail.

Event type

This is a theatre and livestream event for an adult audience, where the speakers and audience in our Theatre are joined by our audience online. 

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For any queries regarding this event please get in touch by phone 020 7409 2992 or email events@ri.ac.uk.

About Claire Malone

Image of Claire Malone
Claire Malone

Claire Malone is a science journalist based in London, UK, and a contributing columnist for Physics World and the STEM Lead for the Lightyear Foundation. She holds a PhD in particle physics from the University of Cambridge, UK. Her research focused on developing novel techniques to search for evidence of physics beyond the Standard Model of particle physics, in particular supersymmetry. Throughout her career, she has devised techniques to negotiate that she cannot use a pen/keyboard directly due to her physical disability. She is passionate about making science accessible to a wide audience and gave a TED talk about her research in 2021 which has now received almost 2 million views.

Timing

Doors to the theatre will open at 6.45pm and the talk will begin at 7.00pm.

Timing for the livestream

The livestream will go live at 6.55pm and the introduction will begin at 7.00pm. If you register but miss the livestream, the video will be available to you via the same link for two weeks after the event date.

Accessibility

The event will take place on the first floor and there is step-free access from the street via lift.

The closest underground station is Green Park, which is step-free.

There is space at floor level in the theatre for wheelchair users.

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Our theatre is equipped with an Audio Induction Loop. 

Event terms and conditions

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