On January 19, 2025, at CERN, Switzerland, a groundbreaking experiment known as BASE (Baryon Antibaryon Symmetry Experiment) demonstrated the feasibility of transporting antiprotons, a significant advancement in the field of quantum physics. This experiment marks a pivotal step towards understanding antimatter, which has potential applications in energy production and medical technology.
Professor Nikola Godinović from the Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, and Naval Architecture in Split explained that the BASE team successfully transported a device containing protons across CERN's campus, showcasing the potential for future antiproton transport. The experiment involved a complex container that maintained a high vacuum and a strong magnetic field, created by a superconducting magnet cooled to extremely low temperatures.
This innovative container was mounted on a truck and traveled approximately ten kilometers, successfully transporting 70 protons. The implications of this achievement are profound; if protons can be transported effectively, so too can antiprotons, which require specialized accelerators and production devices.
Antimatter, the most expensive substance on Earth, is estimated to cost around 60 trillion euros per gram. Its production is limited, with only about 10 nanograms produced in laboratory conditions to date. The annihilation of matter and antimatter releases a staggering amount of energy, following Einstein's famous equation E=mc². This has led researchers to explore the potential of antimatter as a revolutionary energy source.
The BASE experiment also serves as a testament to engineering ingenuity. The device used in the experiment weighs 1,000 kilograms and is designed to withstand vibrations, ensuring the integrity of the contained particles during transport. Maintaining the necessary conditions for antiproton transport is crucial, as any contact with normal matter would result in annihilation.
Historical context enriches this discovery. The theoretical groundwork laid by physicist Paul Dirac in 1928 led to the identification of antimatter particles, with the positron being the first discovered antimatter particle. The ongoing research into antimatter not only enhances our understanding of fundamental physics but also opens doors to future applications in energy and medicine.
CERN's continued exploration of antimatter could lead to transformative advancements, potentially revolutionizing energy sources and medical technologies.