LHC Micro Models: Build Your Own Particle Detector | Hacker News Reader

LHC Micro Models: Build Your Own Particle Detector

build-your-own-particle-detector.org

48 pointsTomte12 comments

Ugh. No particles will ever be detected by these plastic toy block sculptures.

While a non-functional LEGO version of something the resembles a experimental equipment might be fun for some people, none of these things are actually particle detectors.

Right, I was about to make the exact same comment (in much less charitable terms).

I do not think we are anywhere close to a DIY subatomic particle detector, but a kit that would allow you to, let's say... test for common minerals in tap water, would be a cool gift for a STEM inclined teenager.

You can make DIY cloud chambers pretty easily.

Thanks for the keyword, let me ask google now.

> I do not think we are anywhere close to a DIY subatomic particle detector

You've probably got one in your pocket already

https://arxiv.org/abs/1410.2895

You are missing the DoItYourself part. I am aware consumer electronics have lots of interesting sensors. The issue is, can a reasonably intelligent person with hand tools and standard parts from the hardware store build one?

Cloud detectors are pretty easy to come by, right? There's a small cyclotron community, it takes a few years, but people have built them.

30's era tech is DIY able.

I'm surprised that you thought that the LEGO toys would be able to detect anything in the first place.

The link is not called "Build your own particle detector physical facsimile out of LEGO", its called "Build Your Own Particle Detector".

Considering the general HN content, I assumed that a "model" LHC particle detector would be a scaled down version of the actual system, as in one that works, albeit likely at much lower energies. It's not like garage particle stuff isn't a thing. People build fusion reactors in their garage pretty regularly[1].

A LEGO model is very different from a practical model.

I confess I too clicked the link expecting some cool DIY particle physics stuff, and came away highly disappointed.

[1]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fusor

I don't think anyone thought they could build a detector out of Lego; they thought that a story titled "Build Your Own Particle Accelerator" (and not originally mentioning "Micro Models"), hosted at "https://build-your-own-particle-detector.org/", would have something more interesting to them than instructions for Lego models.

Well, they can detect particles. Particles that are attached to lots of other particles and moving at a sufficient velocity.

Unfortunately, despite reaching 10k votes and being considered by the Lego Ideas team, they decided not to turn this into a set. :(

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