Large Hadron Collider smashes protons, record

The $10-billion structure at Geneva collides particles at three times previous energy levels. It hopes to find smaller particles and make other physics discoveries.

March 30, 2010|By Amina Khan






"We're pretty happy because we've been waiting all night," said Andy Yen, 21, a senior who had worked on experiments related to the collider for most of his undergraduate career. "Some people have been waiting 15, 20 years it's late, but it's worth it."


Many said they had planned stay all night until the data began to flow in, even though they would not have immediate access to the measurements. Caltech particle physicist Bertrand Echenard said he was staying for the experience.

"When you watch the Olympic Games, you can watch the flame for 15 days, but what you want to watch is the [torch] lighting," Echenard said, standing below two clocks: one with "GENEVA" pasted over the glass, a second covered in "CAL TECH."

"It really is the start of something."

Los Angeles Times Articles