Identity area
Reference code
Title
Date(s)
- 1970 (Creation)
Level of description
Extent and medium
Object
Context area
Repository
Archival history
Immediate source of acquisition or transfer
Content and structure area
Scope and content
This is a collision region from the worlds first proton collider, the Intersecting Storage Rings. The ISR was used at CERN from 1971-84 to study proton-proton collisions at the highest energy then available (60GeV). When operational, ISR collision regions were surrounded by detectors as shown in the photo. In 1972, the surprising discovery of fragments flying out sideways from head-on proton-proton collisions was the first evidence of quark-quark scattering inside the colliding protons . This was similar to Rutherfords observation in 1911 of alpha particles scattering off the tiny nucleus inside atoms of gold. The ISR beamtubes had to be as empty as outer space, a vacuum 100 000 times better than other CERN machines at the time.
Appraisal, destruction and scheduling
Accruals
System of arrangement
Conditions of access and use area
Conditions governing access
Public
Conditions governing reproduction
Language of material
Script of material
Language and script notes
Physical characteristics and technical requirements
216 kg
Finding aids
Allied materials area
Existence and location of originals
On loan, 143.
Existence and location of copies
Related units of description
Notes area
Note
<2> short texts about the ISR.
