Session H05: Extending Frontiers in Physics

The Extreme Light Infrastructure (ELI) to extend frontiers in Physics (TBC)

The Extreme Light Infrastructure (ELI) is a ground-breaking research organization comprising three world-class, high-power laser facilities that collectively forming a European flagship research infrastructures. The state-of-the-art ELI facilities host an unparalleled assortment of leading laser sources, driving a diverse range of secondary sources and instrumentation. This cutting-edge technology enables the production of high-energy proton and ion beams, the generation of ultrashort x-ray and ultraviolet pulses, and the exploration of quantum electrodynamics under extreme conditions, and much more. 

Research conducted at ELI enhances understanding of fundamental processes, with far-reaching applications in cancer therapy, materials science, and nuclear waste management. This presentation provides a succinct overview of the distinctive features and status of each ELI research center, emphasizing their availability and mission to facilitate user-driven research in high-energy-density physics, attosecond science, and laser-driven nuclear physics. 

The future directions of ELI, including plans enhance capabilities and foster international collaborations are highlighted, as is ELI’s commitment to nurturing and training a new generation of experts to develop, operate, and use large-scale laser systems. As the sole international science organization situated in and hosted by Europe's new member states, ELI plays a crucial role in promoting scientific excellence and collaboration throughout the region.   

How positrons can extend the frontiers of physics, humanity and technology

A fundamental physics experiment addressing one of the most fundamental assessments of the universe, GBAR (gravitational behavior of antihydrogen at rest), has opened the way to a new type of positron generators, thus expanding the field of positron use.

After a short presentation of the specific features in the use of antimatter as an exploring tool, the speaker will give an overview on potential innovative technological applications. He will conclude with a summary of positron availability and the innovation status regarding new positron generators.   

The HighNESS Project and Free Neutron Oscillations Searches at the ESS

The European Spallation Source, ESS, currently under construction in Lund, will be the world’s most powerful facility for research using neutrons. The facility’s unique capabilities will exceed and complement those of today’s leading neutron sources.

Taking advantage of the unique potential of the ESS, the NNBAR collaboration proposed a two-stage program of experiments [1] to perform high-precision searches for neutron conversion in a range of baryon number violation (BNV) channels culminating in an ultimate sensitivity increase for n → n ̄ oscillations of three orders of magnitude over the previously attained limit obtained at the Institut Laue-Langevin ILL [2]. The observation of BNV via free neutron oscillations would be of fundamental significance, with implications for many open questions in modern physics which include the origin of the matter-antimatter asymmetry, the possible unification of fundamental forces, and the origin of neutrino mass.

The first stage of this program HIBEAM (High Intensity Baryon Extraction and Measurement) will employ the fundamental physics beamline during the first phase of the ESS operation. This stage focuses principally on searches for neutron conversion to sterile neutrons n’ that would belong to a “dark” sector. The second stage, NNBAR, will exploit a large beam port, specifically designed in the ESS target station monolith for this experiment, to deliver the maximum possible neutron flux and search directly for n → n ̄ oscillations.

Supported by a 3 MEuro Research and Innovation Action within the EU Horizon 2020 program, a design study (HighNESS) will soon deliver the Conceptual Design Report of the ESS second neutron source which has been optimized in order to boost the performance of the NNBAR experiment and the Conceptual Design Report of the NNBAR experiment. This talk will focus on the HighNESS project and the ongoing developments in the NNBAR collaboration.