Welcome
Welcome to the TAU Institute for Particle and Astroparticle Physics (TIPAP), where we delve into the mysteries of the universe. Our mission is to explore the fundamental building blocks of the universe by fostering collaboration between theoretical, observational and experimental particle physicists, astrophysicists and cosmologists.
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At TIPAP, we are at the forefront of designing cutting-edge experiments, developing innovative detection methods, operating astronomical observatories, and analyzing vast amounts of data using advanced computational tools. Our work extends to theoretical modeling, educational initiative, conferences, schools, visitor programs, and fellowships.
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Join us on this journey of discovery as we push the boundaries of knowledge and unlock the secrets of the cosmos. Explore our research, engage with our vibrant community, and be a part of the exciting world of particle and astroparticle physics.
OUR UNIVERSE
Our universe is expanding. This astonishing fact has consequences far beyond one’s imagination. To understand, let us reverse the arrow of time: the universe is shrinking, shrinking means denser, and denser means hotter. As we move towards the beginning of time, the temperature rises, stars and galaxies melt into atoms, electrons gain enough energy and undress the atoms and atoms further break into protons and neutrons which in turn break into more elementary particles: the quarks and gluons. Our early universe is a hot plasma composed of the most elementary particles in nature. How far can we go? Common sense (and classical physics) leads us to a singular point, a point-like universe, the beginning of time. The celebrated Big Bang.
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However, our physical understanding stopped much before. Physicists have developed a theory, known as the Standard Model (SM) of particle physics that describes in detail the constituents of matter and the fundamental interactions among them. They have built huge particle accelerators that explore the theory to unprecedented precision. But as the temperature exceeds the energies reached by our fastest accelerators, the physics becomes unknown. The higher we go in energies, the blinder, we the physicists, become. As we go up in energy, new particles and physical laws emerge, beyond those described in the Standard Model. A different way to learn about physics at energies beyond the reach of accelerators is to look back in time at the early universe. Our universe is the fruitful outcome of a one-time, uncontrolled, experiment that we now live to enjoy and to use as a source of learning about the most fundamental laws of nature.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Stay tuned for our upcoming seminars, conferences, and workshops designed to engage and educate both students and professionals in the field of particle and astroparticle physics.