2016 – a LEAP Year
Since 1990 the LEAP (Low Energy Antiproton Physics) conference is held every two or three years to discuss the latest findings and exchange information about research with low energy antiprotons.
There has been some remarkable progress recently in experiments with low energy antiproton physics and new facilities such as the Extra Low Energy Antiproton Ring (ELENA) or the Facility for Low energy Antiproton and Ion Research (FLAIR) will offer even more exciting prospects for hitherto impossible experiments. Between 6th – 11th March 2016 the world’s experts in this exciting research area met in the beautiful town of Kanazawa, Japan. They discussed the latest findings in antiproton physics and related fields. They also talked about future experiments and how to take maximum benefit from the improved beam quality that new facilities can provide.
The scientific program consisted of invited and contributed talks which allowed research leaders to present their latest findings. Poster sessions during the first two days allowed for further discussion.
Advanced diagnostics as they have been developed as part of the oPAC project, is key also for antimatter facilities. Marie Curie Senior Fellow Dr. Javier Resta-Lopez presented a poster on “beam dynamics studies and design optimisation of new low energy antiproton facilities” and PhD candidate James Hunt triggered many interesting discussions with a poster on “beam quality measurements for low energy antiproton machines”. This is an interesting method to characterize the stored antiproton beam that shall be implemented in ELENA later this year. Finally, oPACcoordinator Prof. Carsten P. Welsch gave a talk about “beam diagnostics for low energy antiprotons”.
An excursion to Shirakawa-go which was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1995 completed an exciting week. All participants enjoyed the stimulating environment the LEAP provided and are looking forward to the next edition which will take the community to Paris, France in 2018.