Vilnius University (VU) has received special recognition from the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN). On 2 September, by a unanimous decision of the LHCb Collaboration Board, VU became a new Institute of the prestigious LHCb experiment. This is a landmark achievement for the Lithuanian scientific community and an important step in enhancing the country’s engagement in international research projects.
VU’s involvement in the LHCb collaboration
Located in Geneva, CERN is the world’s largest nuclear and particle physics laboratory. Here, scientists conduct experiments on the fundamental particles of the Universe and their interactions. One of CERN’s key projects is the Large Hadron Collider (LHC), which allows scientists to explore proton-proton collisions and discover new particles and phenomena.
This year, on the initiative of the Lithuanian Particle Physics Consortium, a new CERN LHCb experimental group – LHCb Vilnius – was established at the Institute of Photonics and Nanotechnology of Vilnius University. It is headed by Dr Mindaugas Šarpis, a long-time member of the LHCb.
After defending his thesis at the University of Bonn (Germany), Dr Šarpis returned to Lithuania at the beginning of 2024 to pursue research in his home country. During his visit to CERN in early September, the team leader presented VU’s current and prospective infrastructure to the LHCb Collaboration Board and returned to Lithuania with the Board’s positive decision to accept the Faculty of Physics of VU as an official institute for the LHCb experiment.
The significance of the LHCb experiment for VU
This acknowledgment will provide VU with a unique chance to engage directly in one of the world’s leading experiments in particle physics. Students and researchers at the University will have access to the data collected by the LHCb detector and will be able to have a hand in its development. This recognition will also provide VU researchers access to cutting-edge technology and foster international collaboration. In addition, students and researchers from the University will be able to participate in CERN’s internship programmes, high-level training, and conferences, providing them with opportunities to present their research and forge contacts through networking.
The cooperation with CERN not only strengthens VU’s international standing but also unlocks new opportunities for scientific advancement in Lithuania. Having become a member of the LHCb experiment, VU has engaged in world-class research, which will help elevate Lithuania’s profile on the global scientific stage.
Vilnius University is a member of the Lithuanian Particle Physics Consortium, which brings together the country’s particle physics researchers. The Consortium cooperates with CERN and other international organisations to expand the horizons of particle physics research in Lithuania.