At the U.S. Department of Energy's Brookhaven National Laboratory, a symposium will take place to celebrate significant anniversaries of Nobel Prize-winning discoveries and discuss future explorations in physics. The event is scheduled for November 22 from 1 to 6 p.m. EST at Berkner Hall.
The symposium, titled "Decades of Discovery at Brookhaven National Laboratory: Charge-Parity Violation, J/psi, and Future Endeavors in Physics," is open to the public free of charge. Attendees must be at least 16 years old and present valid government-issued photo identification. Virtual attendance is also available.
Registration is required for both in-person and virtual participation.
JoAnne Hewett, director of Brookhaven Lab and a theoretical physicist, commented on the significance of these discoveries: “Physicists study particles to unlock mysteries of how the universe works.” She highlighted upcoming experiments such as the Electron-Ion Collider which aims to use the J/psi particle for precise measurements within an atom's nucleus.
The event will feature discussions on current and future experiments aimed at advancing understanding of the universe. Facilities involved include:
- Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider at Brookhaven Lab
- Large Hadron Collider at CERN
- Belle II at SuperKEKB in Japan
- Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment spanning from Fermilab in Illinois to South Dakota
Speakers include Nobel Laureate Samuel Ting, Martin Breidenbach, former Director Nicholas Samios, historian Robert Crease among others.
Refreshments will be provided for attendees present physically. The symposium will conclude with a toast celebrating past, present, and future discovery science.
The event marks two notable discoveries:
1. CP violation discovered by Val Fitch and James Cronin in 1964 led them to receive the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1980.
2. The J/psi particle was discovered simultaneously by teams led by Samuel C.C. Ting at Brookhaven Lab and Burton Richter at SLAC in 1974; they were awarded the Nobel Prize for Physics in 1976.
Brookhaven Lab has been recognized with seven Nobel Prizes overall. SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory will also host an event on November 8 to celebrate their role in discovering the J/psi particle.