How to get rid of a particle detector at CERN
Hundreds to thousands of physicists around the world and time dedicate their researach to the construction of huge detectors we use at CERN to study the smallest things in our universe. But sometimes those detectors get old and do not function properly anymore and they need to be replaced or removed entirely.
This is what happens at the moment to the ALICE Transition Radiation Detector (TRD). Me and my colleagues have the opportunity to work inside of one of CERNs four major experiments and do a very basic task: Disconnect cables! What sounds very easy can be hard if you have to work 50 meters underground but still at 10 meters height. To reach the upper sector of the detector, we actually have to climb inside the magnet with hooks and a harness.
The full disconnection will take four weeks in total. When everything is off, a specialized crane will be placed in front of the TRD and precisely pull it out, to not harm any other detector. The remaining modules will be either deconstructed or shipped to the universities that initially built the TRD.
Removing such a large detector does not happen often. Now since the LHC entered Long Shutdown 3 after four years of data taking, there is enough time and space for such operations and we wanted to let some physics enthusiasts be part of this. I hope you like it!
(No ducks were harmed during the making of the photos)