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Puzzling asymmetries

In a recently published paper, the LHCb Collaboration has reported on a possible deviation from the Standard Model. Theorists are now working to calculate precisely this effect and to evaluate the implications that such unexpected result could have on the established theory.

The Standard Model is able to predict the decay rates of particles with high precision. In most cases, experimentalists confirm the value predicted by theory and the figure is added to the official publications. However, this time, things seem to have taken a different route.

Studying data collected in 2011, the LHCb Collaboration found that in a specific decay – a B particle transforming into a K particle plus two charged muons (B -> Kμ^-μ⁺) – the branching ratio of the neutral B in the corresponding decay (i.e. B⁰ -> K⁰μ^-μ⁺) is different from that of the positively charged B (i.e. B⁺ -> K⁺μ^-μ⁺). Such an “isospin asymmetry” between the decays of differently charged B particles was not expected, as theory predicts the corresponding value to be very close to zero.  “There had been hints of such an effect from previous experiments (CDF, Belle and BaBar), which agree with the new higher-precision result from LHCb,” explains Pierluigi Campana, LHCb Spokesperson. “This result has been made possible by the strong and continuous support from the LHC operations team for the LHCb physics program.” 

Theorists are now busy in calculating the exact figure that we should expect for this specific asymmetry. If theory confirms the deviation, this new experimental result could open the way to further investigations of possible new physics in B decays. 

Read more details on the LHCb website and the LHCb scientific paper.

Filed under: CERN,Ciencia,Cosmologia,Fisica,Fisica de alta energia,Fisica de Materiales,Fisica de particulas,LHC,Matematicas,Materia,Mecanica cuantica,Science,Sincrotrón | | |No Comments

News from the Library: Looking for materials properties? Find the answer in CINDAS databases

Materials properties databases are a crucial source of information when doing research in Materials Science. The creation and regular updating of such databases requires identification and collection of relevant worldwide scientific and technical literature, followed by the compilation, critical evaluation, correlation and synthesis of both existing and new experimental data.

The Center for Information and Numerical Data Analysis and Synthesis (CINDAS) at Purdue University produces several databases on the properties and behaviour of materials. The databases include:

– ASMD (Aerospace Structural Metals Database) which gives access to approximately 80,000 data curves on over 220 alloys used in the aerospace and other industries

– the Microelectronics Packaging Materials Database (MPMD), providing data and information on the thermal, mechanical, electrical and physical properties of electronics packaging materials, and

– the Thermophysical Properties of Matter Database (TPMD), covering the properties of over 5,000 materials with approximately 50,000 data curves.

Trial access to these resources is available until 31 August 2012, so you are very welcome to try these databases and send us your feedback at library.desk@cern.ch.

Online access to the databases here.

Filed under: CERN,Ciencia,Cosmologia,Fisica,Fisica de alta energia,Fisica de Materiales,Fisica de particulas,LHC,Matematicas,Materia,Mecanica cuantica,Science,Sincrotrón | | |No Comments

Ombuds’ Corner: Social exclusion

In this special video edition of the Ombuds' Corner, Vincent Vuillemin takes a look at a social exclusion at CERN. Please note that the characters and situations appearing in this work are fictitious, and any resemblance to real persons or events is purely coincidental.

Filed under: CERN,Ciencia,Cosmologia,Fisica,Fisica de alta energia,Fisica de Materiales,Fisica de particulas,LHC,Matematicas,Materia,Mecanica cuantica,Science,Sincrotrón | | |No Comments

Thinking machines, the creation of the computer

Episode of the television program History Channel "Modern marvels" in 1995. Traces the history of the computer from Charles Babbage’s Victorian counting machine to the desktop models of the 1990s.

Filed under: CERN,Ciencia,Cosmologia,Fisica,Fisica de alta energia,Fisica de Materiales,Fisica de particulas,LHC,Matematicas,Materia,Mecanica cuantica,Science,Sincrotrón | | |No Comments

Academic Training Lecture Regular Programme: How Large-Scale Civil Engineering Projects Realise the Potential of a City

How Large-Scale Civil Engineering Projects Realise the Potential of a City (1/3), by Bill Hanway (Excecutive Director of Operations, AECOM Europe).

Wednesday, June 6, 2012 from 11:00 to 12:00 (Europe/Zurich)
at CERN ( 80-1-001 – Globe 1st Floor )

In this series of three special lectures, leading experts from AECOM would explore the impact of a trio of major projects on a single city.
In common with every metropolis, London has run-down districts and infrastructure in need of upgrading. The lectures propose to cover three of the biggest challenges: regenerating run-down areas; reducing congestion and transporting people more efficiently; and improving water and wastewater systems.
Each project contributes to a collective public aim – to realise the potential of a growing city, and ensure its healthy, sustainable and competitive future.

Lecture 1: Into the lecture series and The London 2012 Olympic Games
Most cities share a group of common complex challenges – growing populations, ageing infrastructure, and mitigating the effects of climate change. These require similar responses to find the most appropriate solutions to make sure that all urban dwellers can have the basics of food, warmth, clean water and shelter. In addition, they must have the ability to lead full and productive lives being able to travel around easily and effectively, that they have homes, jobs and places to enjoy their leisure time. To achieve all of this requires a holistic vision and collaborative approach involving all stakeholders from local, regional and national government and utility companies, to private business and local communities.

To provide an example of the holistic approach to reworking old cities, this series begins with a dynamic first-hand account from a key player in one of Europe’s largest regeneration projects. The Lower Lea Valley in East London was a rundown and melancholic place in 2000, but its radical transformation has created an exemplary setting for the 2012 Olympic Games. In the spirit of previous London developments based around green spaces, the parkland created for the Games (the setting for 35,000 homes) is designed to act as a catalyst for improvement The legacy masterplan is crucial for this and the speaker’s team has gone on to win the Olympic masterplan competition for Rio 2016.

Find details on the subsequent lectures here.

Filed under: CERN,Ciencia,Cosmologia,Fisica,Fisica de alta energia,Fisica de Materiales,Fisica de particulas,LHC,Matematicas,Materia,Mecanica cuantica,Science,Sincrotrón | | |No Comments

History of Computing with images of CERN

Filed under: CERN,Ciencia,Cosmologia,Fisica,Fisica de alta energia,Fisica de Materiales,Fisica de particulas,LHC,Matematicas,Materia,Mecanica cuantica,Science,Sincrotrón | | |No Comments