Investigations of the mini-Bangs in the laboratory
ABSTRACT :
As per the Quantum chromodynamics, the theory of strong interaction, collisions of two heavy ions at ultra-relativistic energy are believed to create deconfined states of quarks and gluons. Such experiments are being performed worldwide over the last 3 decades most prominently at CERN-Geneva, BNL-USA and in the future facility at FAIR-Germany. Depending on the collision energy, the medium created in such collisions could be compared with the microsecond old universe or of the core of neutron-stars. Indian researchers are involved in building advanced detectors at CERN-Geneva and BNL-USA for investigating these collisions and to understand the mini-Bang in the laboratory. India is also a member country in an experimental collaboration in which neutron-star-like medium are to be produced. The motivation, experimental details and latest results will be presented.
ABOUT THE SPEAKER:
Dr. Chattopadhyay has completed his M.Sc from the University of Calcutta and joined the Department of Atomic Energy in 1987. He has completed his PhD in physics from Calcutta University as a researcher at VECC-Kolkata. After initial participation in the nuclear physics experimental programme at VECC, Dr. Chattopadhyay has been engaged as a leading member of VECC in experimental high energy physics activities at CERN-Geneva, Brookhaven National Lab, USA and currently at FAIR-Germany. Dr. Chattopadhyay has received DAE-Science Research Council award as an outstanding research investigator and the Homi Bhabha Science and Technology award in 2009. Dr. Chattopadhyay has been appointed jointly by the Department of Science and technology and the Department of Atomic Energy, the programme Director of the Indo-FAIR co-ordination Centre (IFCC) at Bose Institute Kolkata. This centre is to co-ordinate India’s participation at FAIR-Germany. Dr. Chattopadhyay, as the International Deputy Spokesperson of the Compressed Baryonic Matter (CBM) experiment at FAIR, Germany has been leading a group consisting of several universities and institutes to participate in this experiment at FAIR. He is coordinating the effort at VECC of the development of advanced detectors for their applications in the India-based neutrino observatory and in the field of medical imaging. Dr. Chattopadhyay has supervised about twenty students for their PhD so far. He has also been elected a Fellow of the National Academy of Sciences, India.