Early Morning Coffee at CERN 2: The Higgs Boson Special
Jul 2, 2024
Join Heather Gray, an associate professor from UC Berkeley focusing on the Higgs boson, and Andre David, a CERN physicist working on the CMS experiment. They reflect on the thrilling discovery of the Higgs boson on July 4, 2012, diving into its significance and misconceptions surrounding its nickname, 'the God particle.' The conversation explores the challenges in understanding particle masses, implications for dark matter, and the future of particle physics as they push boundaries with new technologies and methods.
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From Theory to Experiment
- Heather Gray's journey to CERN began 20 years ago as a summer student.
- Her experience shifted her focus from theoretical to experimental physics.
Hooked on CERN
- André David, originally from Portugal, started in theoretical nuclear physics and microchip technology.
- A two-week visit to CERN in 2000 sparked his 24-year career there.
Tricked by Location
- Steven Goldfarb was in Australia for the Higgs boson announcement, originally planned there.
- The CERN Council decided the announcement should happen at CERN instead.
