Aiming at number 9: CASPAR targets fluorine in new science run
The Compact Accelerator System for Performing Astrophysical Research (CASPAR) recreates conditions inside stars to study how elements are made. The experiment recently restarted with a new target—the ninth element on the periodic table, fluorine.
The Compact Accelerator System for Performing Astrophysical Research (CASPAR) is studying the formation of elements like fluorine by recreating conditions found inside stars. Fluorine, the ninth element on the periodic table, plays a crucial role in the CNO cycle which can help heavier elements form. CASPAR's small particle accelerator is buried nearly a mile underground at the Sanford Underground Research Facility, where it can smash protons into specialized targets to simulate stellar reactions.
The experiment recently restarted with a new target—the fluorine-based target. Making these targets involves a year and a half of trial and error, including thousands of runs and hydrofluoric acid preparation. Undergraduate and graduate students are involved in every aspect of the experiment, from mechanical engineering to astrophysics.
The work done at CASPAR can help resolve discrepancies between theory and observations of early stars, such as the higher-than-expected concentrations of certain heavier elements.
Written by urgent.news from Phys.org's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
