Faster-Than-Light Particles Report Debunked

Forum Contacts RSS		RUSSIAN

RIA Novosti, PUBLISHED February 24, 2012

Reports of particles traveling faster than light may be due to be equipment error and not a breakthrough discovery, but more tests are needed, researchers said on Thursday.

The world of fundamental physics was in for a shock in September, when researchers reported neutrinos crossing the distance from the CERN laboratory in Geneva to the Gran Sasso laboratory near L'Aquila in Italy 60 nanoseconds faster than the speed of light.

The result put the Theory of Relativity, the foundation of modern physics, into question, as one of its basic rules is that nothing travels faster than light.

But the unorthodox result could have been achieved due to a bad connection between a fiber cable and a computer used in the experiment, which resulted in neutrino speed being overestimated, CERN researchers said.

However, a faulty GPS unit could have also distorted the measurements the other way, downplaying the speed of neutrinos, already exceeding the speed of light, the researchers said.

A new round of tests expected to clarify the matter is set for May.

Topics: Europe

Other news:

IAEA Delegation Arrives in Iran to Discuss Nuclear Program

The IAEA delegation is led by Herman Nackaerts who is in charge of the Iran nuclear file.

Prokhorov Suggests Moving Skolkovo to Kaliningrad

In my view, the hi-tech hub should not be constructed in Moscow. I suggest moving Skolkovo to Kaliningrad.

Rosatom Managers Sacked, Fined over Corporate Party

According to the Dozhd TV channel, the corporation paid 12.5 million rubles (about $400,000) for the New Year’s bash.

Hero of the day

Iran views of its nuclear issue

It is difficult to say what will happen next, especially since the international community is split into two opposing camps on this issue. This article will analyze both of them, also taking into account the situation in Tehran.

INTERVIEW

Georgy Toshinsky
Not quite so. The authors of the concept, which was difficult to be realized in practice, turned to a clearer concept of a standing wave reactor (TP-1) that in principle allows finding the solution to the tasks stated for TWRs.

OPINION

Konstantin Bogdanov
The Yury Dolgoruky, the first Borei-class SSBN carrying Bulava missiles, is one step away from being put into service.