For the first time in history, ALPHA collaboration reported the measurement on the optical spectrum of a single antimatter atom. The new development leads to first step in the direction of high-precision antimatter research. The achievement is an hard earned one that comes after 2 decades of committed work of CERN team. Spokesperson of ALPHA collaboration, Jeffrey Hangst, says, “Using a laser to observe a transition in antihydrogen and comparing it to hydrogen to see if they obey the same laws of physics has always been a key goal of antimatter research.”
Atoms are constituted by a nucleus with electrons orbiting around it in a consistent manner, these minute particles emit and absorb light at specific wavelengths leading to formation of an atomic spectrum. Consequently, every electron has its own specific spectrum and this spectroscopy happens to be one of the most common tools that is used across multiple fields of astronomy, chemistry, and physics. It also helps in characterization of molecule and atoms along with their internal states. In astrophysics, for instance, light spectrum analysis of distant stars permits scientists determine the basic composition of these celestial bodies.
Filed Under: News