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460 BCE
Ancient Philosophies
Reference early speculations about the fundamental nature of matter by philosophers like Democritus. who proposed the existence of indivisible units called "atoms". -
Modern atomic theory
John Dalton proposes the modern atomic theory, suggesting that elements are composed of tiny, indivisible particles (atoms) and that each element's atoms are unique. This theory reintroduces the concept of atoms in a scientific context, supported by experimental evidence. -
Discovery of the Electron
J.J. Thomson discovered the electron, showcasing the first evidence of subatomic particles, which hinted at the complex inner structure of atoms, challenging the notion of atoms as indivisible units. -
Quantum Theory Begins
Summarize how Max Planck's work on blackbody radiation and Albert Einstein's explanation of the photoelectric effect laid the groundwork for quantum mechanics, a theory that would be crucial for understanding particle physics, including antimatter. -
Nuclear model of the atom
Ernest Rutherford, along with Hans Geiger and Ernest Marsden, conducts the gold foil experiment, which reveals that atoms have a small, dense, positively charged nucleus, leading to the nuclear model of the atom. This model suggests that most of an atom's mass is concentrated in the nucleus, with electrons orbiting around it. -
Bohr model of the atom
Niels Bohr expands on Rutherford's model by introducing the Bohr model of the atom, which proposes that electrons orbit the nucleus in fixed paths or "shells" without losing energy, only moving between these paths by absorbing or emitting specific amounts of energy (quanta). -
Dirac's Quantum Theory of the Electron
Explain Paul Dirac's prediction of antimatter as a solution to his relativistic equation for the electron, which implied the existence of an "anti-electron" with the same mass but opposite charge. -
Discovers the neutron
James Chadwick discovers the neutron, a particle with no electric charge but with a mass similar to that of the proton. This discovery completes the basic understanding of atomic nuclei and paves the way for nuclear fission. -
Discovery of the Positron by Carl Anderson
Describe Anderson's cloud chamber experiment that led to the discovery of the positron, the first detected antiparticle, confirming Dirac's prediction. Highlight the significance of this discovery in validating the existence of antimatter. -
Discovery of the Antiproton
Discuss the experiment led by Emilio Segrè and Owen Chamberlain at the Berkeley Bevatron, which resulted in the discovery of the antiproton, earning them the Nobel Prize in Physics. -
Discovery of the Antineutron
Mention the identification of the antineutron by Bruce Cork and his team, further expanding the antimatter family and reinforcing the symmetry in the particle world. -
Violation DiCP scovery
Explain the discovery by James Cronin and Val Fitch of CP violation in the decay of neutral kaons, challenging the previously held symmetry between matter and antimatter and hinting at reasons for the matter-dominated universe. -
Theoretical Prediction and Indirect Evidence of Antihydrogen
Outline the theoretical predictions and the indirect evidence that led to the eventual production of antihydrogen, the simplest anti-atom, highlighting its importance for comparative studies with hydrogen. -
First Production of Antihydrogen at CERN
Detail the creation of the first antihydrogen atoms at CERN, marking a significant achievement in antimatter research, and discuss the experimental methods used, such as trapping antiprotons and combining them with positrons. -
Antimatter in Medicine (PET Scans)
Illustrate the application of positrons in Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scans for medical diagnostics, demonstrating a practical use of antimatter in everyday life. -
Advances in Antimatter Research (ALPHA and ATRAP)
Highlight the experiments at CERN, such as ALPHA and ATRAP, which have succeeded in trapping antihydrogen atoms for extended periods. Discuss the significance of these experiments for testing fundamental principles of physics, such as the symmetry between matter and antimatter and the validity of the Standard Model. -
Discovery of the Higgs Boson
Scientists at CERN's Large Hadron Collider (LHC) announce the discovery of a particle consistent with the Higgs boson, a fundamental particle predicted by the Standard Model of particle physics that is responsible for giving other particles their mass. -
Confirmation of the Higgs Boson's Properties
Throughout 2015, further analysis of LHC data confirms that the properties of the newly discovered particle match those expected of the Higgs boson, solidifying our understanding of the mechanism that gives particles mass. -
Creation of Time Crystals
Researchers theoretically propose and then experimentally confirm the existence of "time crystals," a new state of matter that exhibits periodic structure not only in space but also in time. This discovery introduces a novel phase of matter with potential applications in quantum computing. -
Observation of Neutron Star Merger
Observatories around the world detect gravitational waves and electromagnetic signals from the merger of two neutron stars. This marks the first time a cosmic event is observed in both gravitational waves and light, providing valuable insights into heavy element formation and the expansion rate of the universe. -
Capture of the First Image of a Black Hole
The Event Horizon Telescope Collaboration releases the first-ever "image" of a black hole's event horizon, or shadow, located in the center of the galaxy M87. This milestone confirms predictions of general relativity under extreme gravitational conditions and provides insights into galaxy dynamics. -
Achievement in Quantum Supremacy
Google AI Quantum and collaborators announce that their quantum computer, Sycamore, performed a specific task in 200 seconds that would take the world's most powerful supercomputer 10,000 years to complete, a benchmark for quantum supremacy. This represents a significant step forward in quantum computing. -
Expansion of Gravitational Wave Observatories
Additional detectors join the global network of gravitational wave observatories, increasing the sensitivity and sky coverage, leading to the detection of gravitational waves from sources not previously observed, such as supernovae or hypothetical exotic objects. -
Dark Matter Direct Detection Experiments
Next-generation dark matter experiments, such as XENONnT or LZ, aim to directly detect dark matter particles through interactions in ultra-sensitive detectors, potentially identifying the particle nature of dark matter.