Building a machine to hunt dark matter (pictures)
Matter and antimatter would meet at nearly light speed in the International Linear Collider, an ambitious multibillion-dollar project to probe the nature of dark matter and energy.
Superconducting cavities
The publication of blueprints for the International Linear Collider (ILC) was marked by ceremonies in Japan, Switzerland, and the U.S. on Wednesday, with scientists hoping the multibilllion-dollar machine could shine a light on the mystery of what makes up most of the universe.
These Tesla 9-cell 1.3GHz superconducting radio-frequency cavities, working at temperatures near absolute zero, will accelerate electrons and positrons toward the ILC detectors.
19-mile particle smasher
The ILC, which could be built in the Japanese mountains, would consist of two linear accelerators facing each other over a distance of 31 kilometers (19.26 miles), as well as two damping rings, each with a circumference of 6.7 kilometers (4.1 miles).
ILC tunnels
This artist's impression shows what the tunnels in the ILC might look like. The accelerators would fire electrons and positrons at nearly the speed of light, and involve energies up to 500 billion electronvolts (GeV), with a possible upgrade to 1 trillion electronvolts (TeV).
SiD detector
This artist's impression shows a view of the silicon detector (SiD) concept for the ILC. The SiD, which measures about 39 feet on each side, is one of three detectors for the ILC and uses particle flow calorimetry to measure energy emissions from the electron-positron collisions.
Neutralino
This simulation shows the anticipated signature of a neutralino, a hypothetical particle predicted by supersymmetry that is a candidate for dark matter, the unseen hypothesized matter that makes up much of the universe.
The 'God particle'
This 3D view from CERN's CMS detector in 2012 "shows characteristics expected from the decay of the SM Higgs boson to a pair of photons (dashed yellow lines and green towers). The event could also be due to known standard model background processes."
More Galleries
My Favorite Shots From the Galaxy S24 Ultra's Camera
My Favorite Shots From the Galaxy S24 Ultra's Camera
20 Photos
Honor's Magic V2 Foldable Is Lighter Than Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra
Honor's Magic V2 Foldable Is Lighter Than Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra
10 Photos
The Samsung Galaxy S24 and S24 Plus Looks Sweet in Aluminum
The Samsung Galaxy S24 and S24 Plus Looks Sweet in Aluminum
23 Photos
Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra Now Has a Titanium Design
Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra Now Has a Titanium Design
23 Photos
I Took 600+ Photos With the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max. Look at My Favorites
I Took 600+ Photos With the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max. Look at My Favorites
34 Photos
17 Hidden iOS 17 Features You Should Definitely Know About
17 Hidden iOS 17 Features You Should Definitely Know About
18 Photos
AI or Not AI: Can You Spot the Real Photos?