From Science, Oct. 2, 2020: As U.S. particle physicists start to drum up new ideas for the next decade in a yearlong Snowmass process they have no single big project to push for (or against). Physicists have just started to build the current plan’s centerpiece: The Long-Baseline Neutrino Facility at Fermilab will shoot particles through 1,300 kilometers of rock to the Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment in South Dakota. Fermilab Deputy Director of Research Joe Lykken and Fermilab scientist Vladimir Shiltsev comment on other possible pursuits in high-energy physics.
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From Interesting Engineering, Oct. 4, 2020: Fermilab’s NOvA experiment is listed in this rundown of the world’s neutrino observatories.
From University of Wisconsin-Madison, Sept. 28, 2020: Getting blasted with proton beams takes a toll on accelerator targets. As researchers begin to consider upgrading existing accelerators and building more powerful models, the durability of those devices is a major concern. University scientists are working with Fermilab in a new collaboration to study and improve the durability of targets and target windows, which will be important for neutrino experiments such as the international Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment, hosted by Fermilab.
From Scientific American, Sept. 30, 2020: Hints of anomalous activity in heavy isotopes could be clues to new physics. Fermilab scientist Elina Fuchs is quoted in this piece on two new results on dark forces between electrons and neutrons.
Next week, scientists with connections to U.S. particle physics will make their morning coffee, boot up their computers and log in to a virtual community planning meeting with over 1,500 colleagues. The four-day gathering will set the stage for a process known as Snowmass, during which scientists will develop a collective vision for the next decade of U.S. particle physics research. The Snowmass process seeks to identify the most promising questions to explore in future research.
From University of Chicago, Sept. 24, 2020: In his new role, de Pablo — currently the Vice President for National Laboratories — will help drive and support the university’s science, technology and innovation efforts, along with their connection to policy and industry. He will also help shape emerging strategic scientific and technological initiatives and provide oversight of entrepreneurship and innovation activities at the Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation.
Extremely massive fundamental particles could exist, but they would seriously mess with our understanding of quantum mechanics.
From Argonne National Laboratory, Sept. 28, 2020: A research team from four national laboratories, including Fermilab and Argonne, have undertaken work at two Fermilab neutrino experiments — MiniBooNE and NOvA — to construct a model of how neutrinos interact with atomic nuclei. This knowledge is essential to unravel an even bigger mystery: why during their journey through space or matter neutrinos magically morph from one into another of three possible types or flavors.
From La Repubblica, Sept. 27, 2020: Intervista alla scienzata di origine marsalese che dirige il Fermilab – Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory.
From CERN Courier, Sept. 23, 2020: Fermilab scientist Panagiotis Spentzouris, head of the Fermilab Quantum Science Program, is one of several experts featured in this article on CERN alumni who have ventured into diverse careers in different fields.