Vietnamese scientists explore universe through some of world's largest physics experiments
A research team from the Institute of Physics in Hanoi is collaborating with more than 1,000 scientists worldwide to investigate some of the biggest mysteries in physics, including the nature of matter and the origin and evolution of the universe.
Vietnamese scientists are exploring the mysteries of the universe through participation in two of the world's most advanced particle physics experiments, Belle II and T2K, both based in Japan. Led by Dr. Nguyen Anh Ky, the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology's Institute of Physics is spearheading the effort.
Belle II utilizes the SuperKEKB particle accelerator to study collisions between electrons and positrons, its antimatter counterparts. Meanwhile, T2K relies on the J-PARC accelerator and Super-Kamiokande detector to investigate neutrinos, elusive particles with nearly no mass that can traverse ordinary matter undetected.
These experiments, Dr. Ky explained, are shedding light on the fundamental nature of matter and the origins and evolution of the universe. Researchers accelerate particles to near-light speed, collide them, and observe the resulting interactions and decays. The data is then compared with theoretical predictions.
Vietnamese researchers, for the first time, are taking on significant technical responsibilities in these experiments. In Belle II, they are constructing, installing, testing, and calibrating the central drift chamber, a crucial detector component that precisely measures charged particles' trajectories and momenta. This component is integral to head-on collisions between electrons and positrons.
In T2K, Vietnamese scientists are supporting the operation of the neutrino beam accelerator, managing the near-detector systems, and contributing to simulations and data analysis. They focus on the neutrino beam's upstream end, monitoring its direction and interactions to help determine the expected number of neutrinos and their changes during their 295-kilometer journey to the Super-Kamiokande detector.
High-energy physics, the researchers say, has profound implications for various scientific fields, including nuclear physics, astrophysics, cosmology, electronics, and materials science. Participating in these cutting-edge experiments allows Vietnamese scientists to acquire interdisciplinary knowledge and technical expertise that can later be applied in Vietnam.
International collaborations also enable sharing of resources and cutting research costs, which Dr. Ky emphasizes is crucial as high-energy physics demands long-term investment to develop skilled researchers and maintain participation in such experiments. The Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology's chairman, Professor Nguyen Quang Liem, praised the project for surpassing its original targets in publication quality and quantity in leading international journals.
He stressed the need for sustained, long-term funding to support Vietnam's future scientific and technological development.
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