Antimatter, though elusive and short-lived due to the abundance of matter surrounding it, has become easier to study in recent years. The European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN) has established a facility dedicated to the production and trapping of antimatter, facilitating in-depth research into its properties, including the formation of entire anti-atoms.
However, the technology used to capture antiprotons generates interference that can compromise measurement accuracy. To address this issue, CERN has embarked on developing a method to transport antimatter away from its point of origin. This initiative has led to the creation of a specialized shipping container designed to allow antimatter to be transported via truck to laboratories across Europe.
Designing an Antimatter Shipping Container
The challenges CERN faces stem from the very hardware integral to its research processes. Antimatter is generated by striking a stationary target with a high-energy particle beam. Consequently, the resulting anti-particles are highly energized. To successfully contain these particles, their speed must be reduced using electromagnetic fields that influence their motion. However, the research team emphasizes that many desired measurements are “extremely sensitive to external magnetic field noise.”
The apparatus used to slow down the antimatter inherently limits the precision of subsequent measurements.
To overcome these issues, transporting antimatter away from its production site emerged as a logical solution. Nevertheless, this task poses significant complexities. The antimatter containment system operates under an extreme vacuum and relies on superconducting materials to generate the necessary electromagnetic fields, preventing the antimatter from colliding with the container walls. This setup demands a substantial power supply and a reserve of liquid helium to maintain the superconducting elements, rendering conventional shipping containers inadequate.
In response, CERN’s team has developed a two-meter-long portable containment device. One end features a junction that connects to the particle beam generated at the facility, leading into the containment zone, which is shielded by a superconducting magnet. Additionally, the container includes batteries to provide a constant power source and necessary electronics for operation. The entire assembly is secured within a robust metal frame equipped with lifting points, enabling it to be easily transported using a crane.
