In the news

From University of Virginia Today, March 7, 2023: University of Virginia physicists shipped its last truckload of five large, specialized panels that contain the detector that will form the shell of the international Muon-to-electron Conversion Experiment, or Mu2e experiment. UVA professors, technicians, postdoctoral fellows, graduate students and undergrads have worked on a total of 83 detector modules, each weighing as much as 2,000 pounds, totaling about 160,000 pounds of materials.

From New Scientist: New Scientist presents a new series featuring experts at the leading-edge of scientific discovery. The series includes prize-winning astrophysicist John Mather who discusses the groundbreaking operations of the James Webb Space Telescope. Also, Fermilab senior scientist Don Lincoln explores how Fermilab has taught us so much about our universe, future research plans and how research results aid theorists in their quest for a ‘Theory of Everything’.

From University of Virginia Today, March 7, 2023: University of Virginia physicists shipped the last truckload of five large, specialized panels that contain the detector that will form the shell of the international Muon-to-electron Conversion Experiment, or Mu2e experiment. UVA professors, technicians, postdoctoral fellows, graduate students and undergrads have worked on a total of 83 detector modules, each weighing as much as 2,000 pounds, totaling about 160,000 pounds of materials.

From Amazon Web Services blog, March 7, 2023: The new Quantum Instrumentation Control Kit (QICK) developed by Fermilab and U Chicago engineers proved to drastically improve quantum computer performance while cutting the cost of control equipment. Now, Amazon Web Services has collaborated with Fermilab QICK engineers to have the tool kit accepted as an open-source software project for quantum devices.

From Big Think, March 4, 2023: Researchers in Japan have effectively used muon tomography to X-ray the Great Pyramid in Egypt finding an unknown tunnel in the structure. This new tool used in archeology is detailed in a new paper published in Nature Communications.

From the Kane County Magazine, February 2023: Kane County Magazine speaks with Fermilab’s Rebecca Thompson, head of education and public engagement, and senior scientist Don Lincoln on their passion for science and the curiosity that led them to Fermilab. The story, “For the love of science” begins on page 40.

From DOE Office of Science, Feb. 22, 2023: DOE’s podcast Direct Current launches its new season by talking with national lab quantum scientists Anna Grassellino and David Awschalom about their brain-bending research, the massive impacts it could have on our lives and the joy and frustration of chasing breakthroughs that can take decades to arrive.

From Big Think, Feb. 16, 2023: Common sense says nothing is nothing but science proves that nothing is in fact something. Fermilab’s Don Lincoln explains at the tiny quantum level, empty space is actually a vibrant place with tiny subatomic particles appearing and disappearing.

From Big Think, Feb. 15, 2023: The Standard Model of Physics has been challenged by the Muon g-2 and W-boson measurements. Don Lincoln discusses a recent paper in the journal Nature Communications that attempted to resolve two significant discrepancies in particle physics.

From Popular Science, Feb. 3, 2023: Recently, researchers created a full 3D muon image of a nuclear reactor the size of a large building which provides a safer way of inspecting old reactors or checking on nuclear waste. Scientists can collect muons to paint images of objects as if they were X-rays. Fermilab’s Alan Bross and a team of researchers are working to use this same technology to image the inside of the Great Pyramid of Giza.