CERN is developing a method to safely transport antimatter over distances
CERN physicists have taken an important step forward in the challenge of antimatter transport. In a groundbreaking experiment, the team demonstrated the ability to move unstable particles using a specially designed trap. This marks the first successful test of particle transport through CERN’s facilities, which could lay the groundwork for transporting antimatter to other research labs in the future.
BASE-STEP trap used for initial test
The experimentcarried out in late October, involved the movement of 70 protons – subatomic particles that have similar challenges to antimatter in terms of handling and storage. CERN’s research showed that using the BASE-STEP trap, the particles were placed in a vacuum chamber and transported on a truck through the CERN site without being disturbed. The report further noted that the test’s success was seen as a promising indication that a similar approach could be applied to antiprotons, the antimatter counterpart of protons, which are notoriously difficult to contain due to their tendency to annihilate upon contact with matter .
Future plans for antimatter transport
Christian Smorra, a CERN physicist leading the BASE-STEP project, said in a statement that while the test was performed with protons, the process is expected to work with antiprotons as well, although additional precautions will be needed. These include a more robust vacuum chamber to ensure the antimatter remains stable during transport.
Antimatter is typically produced at CERN’s Antiproton Decelerator (AD) facility and stored in magnetic fields to prevent it from touching matter. The BASE experiment has already proven that it can store antimatter for extended periods, but transporting it to different laboratories poses a significant challenge. With the development of BASE-STEP, physicists now have a portable version of this technology, designed to protect the particles from the jostling they would experience during transport.
Looking ahead to 2025
The next phase for CERN’s research team is antiproton transport in early 2025, with plans for further refinements of the technology. Smorra said the goal is to eventually enable antimatter transport across Europe to specialized laboratories, increasing the accuracy of ongoing research.
The success of the test has opened up the possibility of even deeper research into the properties of antimatter, with scientists hoping to gain a better understanding of its fundamental nature.
