Example 2: The ATLAS Experiment

The ATLAS experiment at CERN is an example of TRIUMF’s role as the keystone of Canadian participation in the world’s largest scientific endeavors.  ATLAS was conceived to undertake the incredible task of searching for, and understanding, the origin of mass, the highest priority in particle physics.  To obtain the high energy needed for this quest, the accelerator (the Large Hadron Collider-LHC) required an international collaboration.  The experiment has taken a decade and a half to design, build, and commission, even with the combined efforts of 2,000 scientists and a corresponding army of technical staff.  Every country with a significant scientific community, including Canada, is involved. 

TRIUMF accelerator physicists had unique expertise for the design and construction of critical parts of the accelerator.  The resulting accelerator contributions were a necessary part of the Canadian investment in the project.  TRIUMF is also home to the ATLAS-Canada Data Centre, funded by the Canada Foundation for Innovation.  This centre will pre-process the raw data from the experiment prior to analysis by Canadian and foreign researchers.  It will also provide domestic detector experts access to raw data for detailed calibration and monitoring. 

Four CRC chairs are involved in this exciting research, and TRIUMF has managed to attract CERN staff member, Dr. Isabel Trigger, back to Canada to lead Canadian analysis efforts of ATLAS data.