An account of the two times I thought I have discovered new physics, but it was a mistake!
Physics
What to do in physics when “everything else fails”
10. Subtract Infinity 9. Add heavy fermions 8. Set all fermion masses to zero 7. Invent another symmetry 6. Throw it on the lattice 5. Blame it on the Planck scale 4. Recall the success of the SM 3. Invoke the Anthropic Principle 2. Wave hands a lot, speak with a strong accent 1. Manipulate … Continue reading What to do in physics when “everything else fails”
The Computational Universe
The Laws of Nature When you first encounter physics at school, you are initiated to the common idea that at least in principle every phenomenon could be explained if we knew which are exactly the "Laws of Nature". This idea is pretty simple, but not free from conceptual problems. First of all, you are assuming … Continue reading The Computational Universe
ATLAS: Last detector connected
The LUCID detector, which will measure the luminosity of the collisions occurring in the centre of ATLAS, was among the last pieces of the detector to get approval. In fact, the small collaboration, based in Bologna, Italy; Alberta, Canada; Lund, Sweden; and at CERN, didn’t even begin building until February of last year. LUCID is … Continue reading ATLAS: Last detector connected
Beyond the Standard Model Pub 