Events, News, Publications
Neutrons in search of their mirror twin
A team of researchers from the Paul Scherrer Institut, ETH-Zürich, Jagiellonian University Cracow (PL) and INFN (IT) have set out to look for a potential “mirror” version of the neutron. Theories propose the existence of these mysterious particles as a manifestation of a hidden mirror world that could, for example, help explain dark matter. The researchers’ custom-made apparatus involving high-precision magnetic fields looked at whether any neutrons trapped in the experiment’s vessel would disappear unexpectedly. While they didn’t catch any neutrons turning into mirror neutrons, they set new limits and disproved earlier experiments that had seen a deviation from expectation.
Image: PSI
New era for gravitational waves in Switzerland
Switzerland is further establishing itself as a leader in gravitational-wave research. 2026 has reinforced this status with the appointment of Michele Maggiore, professor at the University of Geneva, as spokesperson for the Einstein Telescope. This next-generation gravitational-wave detector is now entering its final stages of design and approval. With the newly awarded "SWISS-ET Grand Projet" grant, Swiss researchers are ready to play a central role in bringing the Einstein Telescope to life.
Image: Einstein Telescope Collaboration.
The CERN Council decided to update the European Strategy for Particle Physics
Budapest, 22 May 2026. Today, following more than two years of intense work of the European particle physics community under the auspices of the European Strategy Group, the CERN Council updated the European Strategy for Particle Physics which sets out an ambitious scientific vision for the field.
Image: denisismagilov, stock.adobe.com