LHC Detects Gold Nuclei in Ultra-Peripheral Collisions Using Innovative Techniques

Scientists operating the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) have achieved a groundbreaking milestone by observing the formation of gold nuclei during specialized ultra-peripheral collisions. This pioneering discovery was made possible through innovative detection techniques developed by researchers at the University of Kansas as part of the ALICE experiment. These methods enable the identification of clean, debris-free interactions where high-energy photons induce nuclear transformations, such as converting lead into gold. Unlike typical high-impact collisions, ultra-peripheral collisions involve ions passing close to each other without direct contact, allowing electromagnetic interactions to occur. These interactions can produce photon-photon collisions that eject protons and lead to the creation of new elements, including gold nuclei. The ability to detect such fleeting particles enhances our understanding of nuclear reactions and helps inform the design of future, larger colliders—some proposed to be up to 60 miles in circumference. The advancements in detection technology not only facilitate the study of these rare events but also contribute to the safety and precision of collider o...