27 Pakistanis participated in ‘Big Bang’ experiment

Twenty-seven Pakistani scientists and engineers participated in ‘Big Bang’ experiment proving their excellence in this complex field.

Briefing mediamen on Tuesday about the role of National Center of Physics (NCP) in the ‘Big Bang’ experiments being performed at CERN (European Organisation for Nuclear Research), Dr Riaz, former Director General of the NCP, said Pakistani scientists were par excellence and successfully contributing in scientific endeavors at international level.

He lauded the role of NCP for providing opportunities to scientists and engineers to exhibit their skills at a broader spectrum. CERN officially came into existence fifty-four years ago, in September 1954 for rebuilding Physics to its former grandeur and is one of the high energy physics laboratories in the world. It is home to thousands of physicists and engineers from all over the world.

He said Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC) has played a pivotal role in establishing the linkage with CERN. The realization of decision makers that LHC (Large Hadron Collider), if it comes about would necessarily incorporate technologies at the most advanced level resulted in signing a cooperation agreement in 1994. In addition, PAEC signed an agreement for contribution $0.5 million for the construction of eight magnet supports for the Compact Muon Soleniod (CMS) detector.

This was followed by another agreement in 2000 increasing Pakistan's contribution to $1.8 million. In the same year National Centre for Physics (NCP) became a full member of CMS. In 2003 a protocol was signed enhancing Pakistan's total contribution to the LHC programme to $10 million. In 2004 NCP becomes LHC Computing Grid (LCG) Node. In 2006, during the visit of the President of Pakistan, Government of Pakistan announced a generous contribution of 5 million Swiss Francs further enlarging the scope of cooperation, he added.

He said 15 physicists, 10 engineers, 5 Lasers and Opto-electronics experts, 6 computer professionals and 6 students from NCP and PAEC are involved in the construction of components of CMS detector, which consist of assembling and testing of 288 Resistive Plate Chambers (RPC's) with 46,000 channels involving front end electronics; (ii) physics analysis involving advanced computing for CMS data production and infrastructure for LCG Node at NCP; (iii) fabrication of mechanical pieces for LHC at a cost much less than the European cost; (iv) design of Tracker Alignment and other opto-electronic related work for the CMS.

Mention may also be made of PAEC assembling carbon frames for the detector outer barrel at a cost which is approximately a third of the European cost, he added.

Telling participants about the procedure being followed he said, the parts are sent from CERN, they are assembled in Pakistan and are sent to Fermi Lab, US who add the front end electronics and ship them to CERN for final integration into rods. Pakistani staff in CERN, on jigs designed by Pakistan, then tested these rods.

It is gratifying to note that in recognition of PAEC's contribution, quality of work and adherence to schedule, in 2006, CERN awarded PAEC Best Supplier Award, he maintained.

He also informed participants of the mutual benefits for Pakistan and CERN of collaboration that has resulted in: Opportunity of learning in front end electronics and cutting edge computing technology for young scientists of Pakistan, Extensive exposure to good technical practices was received by PAEC personnel who worked on various problems. Simultaneously PAEC brought in some very valuable inputs during the design phase in CMS. These two activities complemented each other in the problems tackled jointly, For PAEC personnel and those at NCP engaged in the above mentioned activities, the exposure was one of quality and intense adherence to details and interfacing among various multidisciplinary groups in academia and industry, he said.