South West
The Early Days of Particle Physics
Half-Day Meeting sponsored by IOP SW Branch, IOP HEPP Group, IOP History of Physics Group and Bristol University Physics Department
Wednesday 3 October 2007, 1:30-5:00 pm
Venue:
Powell Lecture Theatre, H H Wills Physics Laboratory,
University of Bristol, Tyndall Avenue, Bristol BS8 1TL
Click here for map
If you plan to come to this meeting, please inform Vincent Smith (vincent.smithATbristol.ac.uk), for catering purposes.
Provisional Programme (timings subject to change):
1:30pm Introduction and Welcome
1:40pm Prof Don Perkins, Oxford University: "Early Days in Cosmic Rays"
Abstract: "Generally about emulsion technique, getting exposures in mountains, aircraft and balloons and stories about how they came about."
2:00pm Dr John Davies and Dr Rodney Hillier, University of Bristol, will show examples of the original emulsions containing tracks of pi meson decay sequences, and excerpts of some movies of balloon launches.
2:30pm Prof Robin Marshall, University of Manchester: "Rochester and Butler and the discovery of V particles"
Abstract: Robin will present archive material and also excerpts from a personal interview with Butler that he taped in his home in 1997 and a video of Rochester giving a seminar on the Vs.
3:15pm Tea
3:45pm Prof Emilio Picasso (CERN): "The History of g-2 Measurements"
Abstract: After a brief introduction to the theory of the muon anomalous moment all the experimental measurements of this quantity are reviewed. The current comparison with theory is discussed.
4:15pm Dr David Falla (Aberystwyth) will speak about E. J. Williams and the discovery of the muon.
Abstract: A short biographical sketch of E.J. Williams, who deserves to feature rather more prominently than he does now in the history of particle physics, is first given.
The background to his definitive observation of the beta decay of the 'mesotron', now known as the muon, is described: this background relates to the theoretical prediction of the meson, as the agent of the strong force between nucleons, to the 'hard component' of the cosmic radiation, and to cloud-chamber techniques used at that time for observing high-energy particles and their interactions.
Some discussion of other research in the field, supplementary to that of Williams and his co-workers, as well as the relationship that has long existed between cosmic-ray and particle physics, will also be included.
4:45pm "Round Table": All participants are invited to tell their stories of the characters and incidents of the pioneering days!
5:00pm Wine Reception and Close.
For further information, please contact Dr Vincent Smith, University of Bristol.
E-mail: vincent.smithATbristol.ac.uk
^ To the top ^