How is antiproton produced?

Antiprotons are produced by 26-GeV/c protons from the Proton Synchrotron (PS) striking a target near the Anti proton Accumulator Complex (AAC). The bunches are rotated and cooled in the Antiproton Collector (AC) and then transferred to the Antiproton Accumulator (AA).

Is there an antiproton?

Antiproton, subatomic particle of the same mass as a proton but having a negative electric charge and oppositely directed magnetic moment. It is the proton’s antiparticle.

What is the opposite of a quark?

A quark is fundamental particle which participates in the strong nuclear force. Like all fundamental particles, for each quark, there exists a corresponding anti-quark with opposite quantum numbers; there exists, for instance an ū or anti-up quark with opposite charge.

What is the purpose of the Antiproton Decelerator?

The Antiproton Decelerator (AD) is a unique machine that produces low-energy antiprotons for studies of antimatter, and “creates” antiatoms. The Decelerator produces antiproton beams and sends them to the different experiments. A proton beam that comes from the PS ( Proton Synchrotron) is fired into a block of metal.

What kind of experiments are done on antiproton?

Currently the AD serves several experiments that are studying antimatter and its properties ALPHA, ASACUSA, ATRAP and BASE. Two other experiments, AEGIS and GBAR, are preparing to study the effects of gravity on antimatter.

How is the spread of antiprotons slowed down?

The spread in energy of the antiprotons and their deviation from their track is reduced by a technique known as “cooling”. Antiprotons are subjected to several cycles of cooling and deceleration until they are slowed down to around a tenth of the speed of light.

Why are antiprotons useful for making antiatoms?

These collisions create a multitude of secondary particles, including lots of antiprotons. These antiprotons have too much energy to be useful for making antiatoms. They also have different energies and move randomly in all directions.