The Bose Institute’s Experimental High Energy Physics group has made strides in the field of fundamental physics. Recently, they were awarded the prestigious Breakthrough Prize in Fundamental Physics as part of the ALICE collaboration at CERN. This award recognises the contributions of thousands of researchers from over 70 countries involved in four major experimental collaborations at CERN’s Large Hadron Collider (LHC). The prize money totals $3 million, with ALICE receiving $500,000.
Background of ALICE at CERN
ALICE, which stands for A Large Ion Collider Experiment, focuses on studying the Quark-Gluon Plasma (QGP). This plasma is a state of matter believed to have existed shortly after the Big Bang. The Bose Institute is the only autonomous institute in India participating in this large-scale international project.
Key Contributors
The Experimental High Energy Physics group includes prominent faculty members such as Prof. Supriya Das, Dr. Sidharth Kumar Prasad, and Dr. Saikat Biswas. They are supported by postdoctoral and research fellows. Their efforts have been vital in various aspects of the ALICE experimental programme, including detector development and data analysis.
Innovative Technologies Used
One of the notable contributions from the Bose Institute is the Photon Multiplicity Detector (PMD). This device was crucial for detecting inclusive photons and was operational from 2008 to 2018. The PMD was developed to enhance the physics analysis capabilities of ALICE. Additionally, a new Time Projection Chamber (TPC) has been introduced. This advanced technology is designed to handle the high luminosity environment expected at the LHC. It incorporates Micro-Pattern Gas Detector technology, specifically the Gas Electron Multiplier (GEM), which offers improved energy resolution and long-term operational stability.
Research and Publications
Members of the Bose Institute have contributed to the physics programme of ALICE. They have led numerous publications and collaborated with various Indian institutes. Their research has been very important in advancing the understanding of high-energy particle collisions.
Acknowledgements and Future Prospects
The ALICE spokesperson, Prof. Marco Van Leeuwen, expressed gratitude to all collaborators for their collective achievements. The Breakthrough Prize will fund studentships, allowing selected PhD students to conduct research at CERN. This initiative aims to inspire and nurture the next generation of physicists.
Impact on Indian Science Community
This award is not only a milestone for the Bose Institute but also for the broader Indian scientific community. It marks India’s growing involvement in global scientific endeavours and encourages young scientists to engage in complex experimental physics projects.
Questions for UPSC:
- Examine the significance of the Quark-Gluon Plasma in understanding the early universe.
- Critically discuss the role of international collaborations in advancing high-energy physics research.
- What is the Breakthrough Prize? How does it impact scientific research funding?
- Analyse the contributions of Bose Institute to the ALICE experiment and its implications for Indian science.
Answer Hints:
1. Examine the significance of the Quark-Gluon Plasma in understanding the early universe.
- Quark-Gluon Plasma (QGP) is a state of matter formed at extremely high temperatures and densities, akin to conditions just after the Big Bang.
- Studying QGP helps physicists understand fundamental forces and particle interactions in the universe’s infancy.
- ALICE at CERN specifically investigates QGP to gain vital information about the transition from QGP to ordinary matter.
- Research on QGP can reveal properties of strong nuclear force, important aspect of the Standard Model of particle physics.
- About QGP may also provide clues about the formation of the universe and the evolution of matter.
2. Critically discuss the role of international collaborations in advancing high-energy physics research.
- International collaborations pool resources, expertise, and technology from diverse countries, enhancing research capabilities.
- Large projects like ALICE at CERN involve thousands of researchers, facilitating a wide range of scientific contributions.
- Collaboration encourages knowledge sharing, leading to innovative solutions for complex scientific problems.
- Such partnerships promote global scientific dialogue and encourage the integration of different cultural perspectives in research.
- Collaborations can also secure funding and support from multiple governments and institutions, amplifying research impact.
3. What is the Breakthrough Prize? How does it impact scientific research funding?
- The Breakthrough Prize is a prestigious award recognizing achievements in fundamental physics, life sciences, and mathematics.
- It offers substantial monetary rewards, with the 2025 prize totaling $3 million, distributed among multiple collaborations.
- Funding from the prize can support student scholarships, encouraging new talent in scientific research and innovation.
- The prize enhances visibility and prestige for recipients, attracting further investment and interest in their research areas.
- Awards like the Breakthrough Prize stimulate competition and motivation among researchers to pursue groundbreaking discoveries.
4. Analyse the contributions of Bose Institute to the ALICE experiment and its implications for Indian science.
- Bose Institute is the only autonomous Indian institute involved in the ALICE collaboration, showcasing India’s participation in global science.
- The institute developed critical technologies like the Photon Multiplicity Detector (PMD), enhancing ALICE’s experimental capabilities.
- Bose Institute faculty led data analysis and operations, contributing to numerous publications in high-energy physics.
- The award boosts the reputation of Indian scientists in international research communities, encouraging future collaborations.
- This recognition may inspire young Indian scientists to engage in complex physics projects, encouraging growth in the scientific workforce.
