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Techno-optimism needs a reality check

Nature Physics - Τετ, 14/02/2024 - 00:00

Nature Physics, Published online: 14 February 2024; doi:10.1038/s41567-024-02390-7

Techno-optimism needs a reality check

A toast to technicians

Nature Physics - Τετ, 14/02/2024 - 00:00

Nature Physics, Published online: 14 February 2024; doi:10.1038/s41567-024-02422-2

Despite the essential support they provide to successful research projects, the contributions of laboratory technicians often remain undervalued. We take a moment to appreciate their efforts.

We can see clearly now

Nature Physics - Τετ, 14/02/2024 - 00:00

Nature Physics, Published online: 14 February 2024; doi:10.1038/s41567-024-02394-3

Adaptive optics allows scientists to correct for distortions of an image caused by the scattering of light. Anita Chandran illuminates the nature of the technique.

Through the slopes of a light-induced phase transition

Nature Physics - Τετ, 14/02/2024 - 00:00

Nature Physics, Published online: 14 February 2024; doi:10.1038/s41567-024-02401-7

The integration of theory and experiment makes possible tracking the slow evolution of a photodoped Mott insulator to a distinct non-equilibrium metallic phase under the influence of electron-lattice coupling.

Observation of Josephson harmonics in tunnel junctions

Nature Physics - Τετ, 14/02/2024 - 00:00

Nature Physics, Published online: 14 February 2024; doi:10.1038/s41567-024-02400-8

The standard current–phase relation in tunnel Josephson junctions involves a single sinusoidal term, but real junctions are more complicated. The effects of higher Josephson harmonics have now been identified in superconducting qubit devices.

Computer Security: Bull**** Bingo

Cern News - Τρί, 13/02/2024 - 15:50
Computer Security: Bull**** Bingo

There are many mantras and claims floating around about cybersecurity. Some of them leave no room for doubt, like “defence in depth”, which suggests deploying protective means at every level of the hardware and software stack, or “KISS ─ keep it simple, stupid” to avoid over-complication and too many deviations from the “standard” cybersecurity system. Other, more unfortunate statements also hold true. For example, “convenient, cheap, secure ─ pick two” makes “secure” always the least attractive option, as it brings no immediate benefits. However, some other mantras and claims are simply not true. Plain wrong. Or, excuse my language, “bull****”.

Indeed, computer security is never straightforward. Often, there is no single solution, but a series of complementary solutions is needed, like how our xorlab ActiveGuard solution works together with the Microsoft SPAM filter. Often a holistic solution cannot be found, for example when the quick fix of having two-factor authentication (2FA) for the new CERN SSO was deployed, which meant that the old SSO was left to die, and the non-holistic solutions we are looking at for how to deploy 2FA to LXPLUS and Windows Terminal Servers in the future. Generally, computer security requires the aforementioned “defence in depth”: individually, multiple protective layers, each with a defined (implementation) scope, a limited coverage and holes are insufficient. But together, they provide adequate overall protection to the Organization that is pragmatic, balanced and efficient. Combined, they keep the cybersecurity risks and threats to the Organization under control.

So, while we acknowledge that there is no single solution to “cybersecurity”, there are many wrong solutions. Wrong statements. Wrong mantras. Bull****. In order to give you an idea of what we mean, let’s play “Bull**** Bingo”. Below are 25 statements we have heard in the past about cybersecurity, best security practices and cybersecurity implementation, some even from esteemed colleagues. Can you spot where they went wrong?  

 

A

B

C

D

E

1

There is no malware for Apple devices

Software from the Google Play Store is harmless

Security is everyone’s responsibility

SSH on port 2222/tcp is more secure

SPAM and malware filtering is 100% effective

2

2FA is a big step forward for account protection

Emails from “@cern.ch” are legitimate

I'm personally not a target as I'm not interesting to attackers

Back-ups cannot be altered

I have nothing to hide

3

I would never fall for phishing

Only the link behind a text/QR code reveals its truth

CERN’s technical network is secure

A password written on a post-it is a good idea

QR codes always link to legit sites

4

A (free) VPN service protects me

Password protection on my laptop protects its data

My browser’s password manager is secure

CERN is not interesting to attackers

CERN’s anti-malware software is free for you to download

5

Using “https” means the website is secure

CERN’s outer perimeter firewall keeps all threats away

Cloud services cannot be hacked

Encryption is easy; key management is complicated

WiFi is always secure

 

The first three people to send the five true statements to Computer.Security@cern.ch will win a bottle of Coca-Cola, as well as a “Hawaiian” pizza from CERN’s Restaurant 2.

Want to learn more about computer security incidents and issues at CERN? Read our monthly reports (https://cern.ch/security/reports/en/monthly_reports.shtml). For more information, questions or advice, check out our website (https://cern.ch/Computer.Security) or contact us at Computer.Security@cern.ch.

ndinmore Tue, 02/13/2024 - 14:50 Byline Computer Security team Publication Date Tue, 02/13/2024 - 14:46

Computer Security: Bull**** Bingo

Cern News - Τρί, 13/02/2024 - 15:50
Computer Security: Bull**** Bingo

There are many mantras and claims floating around about cybersecurity. Some of them leave no room for doubt, like “defence in depth”, which suggests deploying protective means at every level of the hardware and software stack, or “KISS ─ keep it simple, stupid” to avoid over-complication and too many deviations from the “standard” cybersecurity system. Other, more unfortunate statements also hold true. For example, “convenient, cheap, secure ─ pick two” makes “secure” always the least attractive option, as it brings no immediate benefits. However, some other mantras and claims are simply not true. Plain wrong. Or, excuse my language, “bull****”.

Indeed, computer security is never straightforward. Often, there is no single solution, but a series of complementary solutions is needed, like how our xorlab ActiveGuard solution works together with the Microsoft SPAM filter. Often a holistic solution cannot be found, for example when the quick fix of having two-factor authentication (2FA) for the new CERN SSO was deployed, which meant that the old SSO was left to die, and the non-holistic solutions we are looking at for how to deploy 2FA to LXPLUS and Windows Terminal Servers in the future. Generally, computer security requires the aforementioned “defence in depth”: individually, multiple protective layers, each with a defined (implementation) scope, a limited coverage and holes are insufficient. But together, they provide adequate overall protection to the Organization that is pragmatic, balanced and efficient. Combined, they keep the cybersecurity risks and threats to the Organization under control.

So, while we acknowledge that there is no single solution to “cybersecurity”, there are many wrong solutions. Wrong statements. Wrong mantras. Bull****. In order to give you an idea of what we mean, let’s play “Bull**** Bingo”. Below are 25 statements we have heard in the past about cybersecurity, best security practices and cybersecurity implementation, some even from esteemed colleagues. Can you spot where they went wrong?  

 

A

B

C

D

E

1

There is no malware for Apple devices

Software from the Google Play Store is harmless

Security is everyone’s responsibility

SSH on port 2222/tcp is more secure

SPAM and malware filtering is 100% effective

2

2FA is a big step forward for account protection

Emails from “@cern.ch” are legitimate

I'm personally not a target as I'm not interesting to attackers

Back-ups cannot be altered

I have nothing to hide

3

I would never fall for phishing

Only the link behind a text/QR code reveals its truth

CERN’s technical network is secure

A password written on a post-it is a good idea

QR codes always link to legit sites

4

A (free) VPN service protects me

Password protection on my laptop protects its data

My browser’s password manager is secure

CERN is not interesting to attackers

CERN’s anti-malware software is free for you to download

5

Using “https” means the website is secure

CERN’s outer perimeter firewall keeps all threats away

Cloud services cannot be hacked

Encryption is easy; key management is complicated

WiFi is always secure

 

The first three people to send  the five true statements to Computer.Security@cern.ch will win a bottle of Coca-Cola, as well as a “Hawaiian” pizza from CERN’s Restaurant 2.

Want to learn more about computer security incidents and issues at CERN? Read our monthly reports (https://cern.ch/security/reports/en/monthly_reports.shtml). For more information, questions or advice, check out our website (https://cern.ch/Computer.Security) or contact us at Computer.Security@cern.ch.

ndinmore Tue, 02/13/2024 - 14:50 Byline Computer Security team Publication Date Tue, 02/13/2024 - 14:46

Science Gateway welcomes its 100 000th visitor

Cern News - Τρί, 13/02/2024 - 15:39
Science Gateway welcomes its 100 000th visitor

On Tuesday, 6 February, CERN Science Gateway welcomed its 100 000th visitor.

Bavo Lens and Nicky Morren came from Hasselt to Geneva on a city break and said “visiting CERN is a must”.

“For me, as an engineer, it was great to be able to see high-tech machines like the Synchrocyclotron and ATLAS,” Lens said. “Congratulations to the guide who was able to explain the very complex material in understandable language. The reception building is very beautiful and offers wonderful exhibitions that explain how particle research works very clearly, even for those who are not gifted in science. We ended our visit in the restaurant, where we enjoyed the vegetarian options!”

Since the opening of CERN Science Gateway on October 8 2023, an average of 1000 visitors per day have enjoyed this new facility. The centre offers activities for all ages, including inviting young visitors from five years old to play and “see the invisible” while building up an interest in and connection to science and technology.

Having reached this milestone, the Visits service would like to send a big “thank you” to all its active guides. None of this would have been possible without the enormous dedication of each and every one of them, volunteering day after day to ensure that our visitors have an inspiring experience. 

For those who have not yet found the time to become a guide: take the first step and become part of this new era of outreach and education at CERN. The first step is usually the biggest, but the team will be there to support you at every stage of the journey.

The CERN Science Gateway is supported through the CERN & Society Foundation and the generosity of its donors.

ndinmore Tue, 02/13/2024 - 14:39 Publication Date Tue, 02/13/2024 - 14:37

Science Gateway welcomes its 100 000th visitor

Cern News - Τρί, 13/02/2024 - 15:39
Science Gateway welcomes its 100 000th visitor

On Tuesday, 6 February, CERN Science Gateway welcomed its 100 000th visitor.

Bavo Lens and Nicky Morren came from Hasselt to Geneva on a city break and said “visiting CERN is a must”.

“For me, as an engineer, it was great to be able to see high-tech machines like the Synchrocyclotron and ATLAS,” Lens said. “Congratulations to the guide who was able to explain the very complex material in understandable language. The reception building is very beautiful and offers wonderful exhibitions that explain how particle research works very clearly, even for those who are not gifted in science. We ended our visit in the restaurant, where we enjoyed the vegetarian options!”

Since the opening of CERN Science Gateway on October 8 2023, an average of 1000 visitors per day have enjoyed this new facility. The centre offers activities for all ages, including inviting young visitors from five years old to play and “see the invisible” while building up an interest in and connection to science and technology.

Having reached this milestone, the Visits service would like to send a big “thank you” to all its active guides. None of this would have been possible without the enormous dedication of each and every one of them, volunteering day after day to ensure that our visitors have an inspiring experience. 

For those who have not yet found the time to become a guide: take the first step and become part of this new era of outreach and education at CERN. The first step is usually the biggest, but the team will be there to support you at every stage of the journey.

ndinmore Tue, 02/13/2024 - 14:39 Publication Date Tue, 02/13/2024 - 14:37

CERN Council reviews progress of feasibility study for a next-generation collider

Cern News - Τρί, 13/02/2024 - 11:48
CERN Council reviews progress of feasibility study for a next-generation collider

After three years of work, mobilising the expertise of scientists and engineers around the world, the Feasibility Study for the Future Circular Collider (FCC) - a particle collider with a circumference of 90.7 km that could potentially succeed the High-Luminosity LHC in the mid-2040s – has now reached the half-way mark. The Feasibility Study is expected to be completed in 2025.

The CERN Council reviewed the work undertaken in a fruitful meeting on 2 February 2024. It congratulated and thanked all the teams involved in the study for the excellent and significant work done so far and for the impressive progress, and looks forward to receiving the final report in 2025.

Particle colliders have played a crucial role in elucidating the fundamental laws of nature and constituents of matter. The Feasibility Study for the FCC was launched in response to a recommendation from the 2020 update of the European Strategy for Particle Physics, whereby Europe, in collaboration with the worldwide community, should undertake a technical and financial feasibility study for a next-generation hadron collider at the highest achievable energy, with an electron-positron collider as a possible first stage.

If approved by CERN’s Member States in the coming years, the construction of the first stage, an electron-positron collider (FCC-ee), could start in the early 2030s and operate in the mid-2040s. The facility would operate for some 15 years, during which time the high-field magnet technology needed for the second stage, a proton-proton collider operating at an unprecedented collision energy of around 100 TeV (FCC-hh), could be developed and industrialised.

Accelerator, detector, and physics studies continue within the global FCC collaboration, spanning 150 institutes in 30 countries.

Relevant links:

https://home.cern/news/press-release/accelerators/international-collaboration-publishes-concept-design-post-lhc

https://home.cern/news/press-release/cern/cern-prepares-its-long-term-future

abelchio Tue, 02/13/2024 - 10:48 Publication Date Tue, 02/13/2024 - 10:39

CERN Council reviews progress of feasibility study for a next-generation collider

Cern News - Τρί, 13/02/2024 - 11:48
CERN Council reviews progress of feasibility study for a next-generation collider

After three years of work, mobilising the expertise of scientists and engineers around the world, the Feasibility Study for the Future Circular Collider (FCC) - a particle collider with a circumference of 90.7 km that could potentially succeed the High-Luminosity LHC in the mid-2040s – has now reached the half-way mark. The Feasibility Study is expected to be completed in 2025.

The CERN Council reviewed the work undertaken in a fruitful meeting on 2 February 2024. It congratulated and thanked all the teams involved in the study for the excellent and significant work done so far and for the impressive progress, and looks forward to receiving the final report in 2025.

Particle colliders have played a crucial role in elucidating the fundamental laws of nature and constituents of matter. The Feasibility Study for the FCC was launched in response to a recommendation from the 2020 update of the European Strategy for Particle Physics, whereby Europe, in collaboration with the worldwide community, should undertake a technical and financial feasibility study for a next-generation hadron collider at the highest achievable energy, with an electron-positron collider as a possible first stage.

If approved by CERN’s Member States in the coming years, the construction of the first stage, an electron-positron collider (FCC-ee), could start in the early 2030s and operate in the mid-2040s. The facility would operate for some 15 years, during which time the high-field magnet technology needed for the second stage, a proton-proton collider operating at an unprecedented collision energy of around 100 TeV (FCC-hh), could be developed and industrialised.

Accelerator, detector, and physics studies continue within the global FCC collaboration, spanning 150 institutes in 30 countries.

Relevant links:

https://home.cern/news/press-release/accelerators/international-collaboration-publishes-concept-design-post-lhc

https://home.cern/news/press-release/cern/cern-prepares-its-long-term-future

abelchio Tue, 02/13/2024 - 10:48 Publication Date Tue, 02/13/2024 - 10:39

Symmetry matters

Nature Physics - Τρί, 13/02/2024 - 00:00

Nature Physics, Published online: 13 February 2024; doi:10.1038/s41567-024-02395-2

Quantum simulators can provide new insights into the complicated dynamics of quantum many-body systems far from equilibrium. A recent experiment reveals that underlying symmetries dictate the nature of universal scaling dynamics.

A strange way to get a strange metal

Nature Physics - Τρί, 13/02/2024 - 00:00

Nature Physics, Published online: 13 February 2024; doi:10.1038/s41567-024-02416-0

Some cerium and uranium compounds exhibit unusual transport properties due to localized electron states. Recent experiments demonstrate that quantum interference on frustrated lattices provides an alternative route to this behaviour.

Quadrupoles are red, dipoles are blue…

Cern News - Δευ, 12/02/2024 - 17:22
Quadrupoles are red, dipoles are blue…

CERN community: this Valentine’s Day we’re asking you to compose an ode to technology.

Send us your CERN-related Valentine’s poem, written in English or French, and we’ll publish our favourites in the next Bulletin. We’ll also give a prize to the poem that we like the best. Poems must be a maximum of 20 lines, and the more CERN-specific the better. 

Here are our attempts to get you started:

Quadrupoles are red
Dipoles are blue
CERN’s magnets are cool
They’re attractive too

Protons are red,
Electrons are blue,
There’s neutrons as well
But you are my glu(on)
There once was an experimentalist,
Who was a great friend of a theorist.
She said to him:
“I give thee this ring”
And LHC made them their happiest.

Send your poem to bulletin-editors@cern.ch by midnight CET on Sunday, 25 February. Please note that you must have a CERN email address to enter.

By taking part in this competition, you accept that your poem may be published in the next CERN Bulletin. If you wish, you can request that we publish it anonymously.

(Video: CERN)

katebrad Mon, 02/12/2024 - 16:22 Byline Internal Communication Publication Date Wed, 02/14/2024 - 09:09

Quadrupoles are red, dipoles are blue…

Cern News - Δευ, 12/02/2024 - 17:22
Quadrupoles are red, dipoles are blue…

CERN community: this Valentine’s Day we’re asking you to compose an ode to technology.

Send us your CERN-related Valentine’s poem, written in English or French, and we’ll publish our favourites in the next Bulletin. We’ll also give a prize to the poem that we like the best. Poems must be a maximum of 20 lines, and the more CERN-specific the better. 

Here are our attempts to get you started:

Quadrupoles are red
Dipoles are blue
CERN’s magnets are cool
They’re attractive too

Protons are red,
Electrons are blue,
There’s neutrons as well
But you are my glu(on)
There once was an experimentalist,
Who was a great friend of a theorist.
She said to him:
“I give thee this ring”
And LHC made them their happiest.

Send your poem to bulletin-editors@cern.ch by midnight CET on Sunday, 25 February. Please note that you must have a CERN email address to enter.

By taking part in this competition, you accept that your poem may be published in the next CERN Bulletin. If you wish, you can request that we publish it anonymously.

katebrad Mon, 02/12/2024 - 16:22 Byline Internal Communication Publication Date Wed, 02/14/2024 - 09:09

Record participation in the 2024 "Women and Girls in Science and Technology" event!

Cern News - Δευ, 12/02/2024 - 16:24
Record participation in the 2024 "Women and Girls in Science and Technology" event!

From 5 to 9 February, more than eighty female ambassadors from CERN, the University of Geneva, EPFL and LAPP spoke to 5800 local pupils, giving over 260 presentations in the space of a week! Their goal: to get children excited about science and break down gender stereotypes about scientific jobs.

The Women and Girls in Science and Technology event has been an annual fixture since 2017, marking the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, which is celebrated on 11 February. The event’s eight editions have met with increasing success, thanks to an ever-expanding cohort of ambassadors eager to share their passion. In total, more than 24 500 pupils aged between 7 and 15 from the local region have seen for themselves that careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics are equally accessible to girls and boys.

Are you a teacher who would like to take part in the 2025 event? Sign up for our education newsletter to find out what we offer and when registration will be open!

Would you like to take part in the 2025 event as a volunteer? Contact the CERN events team to find out about our upcoming calls for volunteers!

More information on CERN's Women in Technology group on: https://wit-hub.web.cern.ch/.

Update on the “25 by ’25” strategy

(Image: CERN)


In spring 2021, the Diversity & Inclusion programme launched the “25 by ’25” strategy, an aspirational target-based initiative to boost the gender and nationality diversity of CERN’s staff and fellows population (MPEs) by the end of 2025. Objective: to reach 25% of women among MPEs by the end of 2025.

The latest statistics (see graphic) are very encouraging: CERN is only 1.3% away from its target!

_____

The International Particle Physics Outreach Group (IPPOG) has engaged communities in particle physics for more than 25 years. IPPOG also holds dedicated International Masterclasses for girls and women on the occasion of International Day of Women and Girls in Science and Technology.

anschaef Mon, 02/12/2024 - 15:24 Byline Mélissa Samson Publication Date Mon, 02/12/2024 - 15:18

Record participation in the 2024 "Women and Girls in Science and Technology" event!

Cern News - Δευ, 12/02/2024 - 16:24
Record participation in the 2024 "Women and Girls in Science and Technology" event!

From 5 to 9 February, more than eighty female ambassadors from CERN, the University of Geneva, EPFL and LAPP spoke to 5800 local pupils, giving over 260 presentations in the space of a week! Their goal: to get children excited about science and break down gender stereotypes about scientific jobs.

The Women and Girls in Science and Technology event has been an annual fixture since 2017, marking the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, which is celebrated on 11 February. The event’s eight editions have met with increasing success, thanks to an ever-expanding cohort of ambassadors eager to share their passion. In total, more than 24 500 pupils aged between 7 and 15 from the local region have seen for themselves that careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics are equally accessible to girls and boys.

Are you a teacher who would like to take part in the 2025 event? Sign up for our education newsletter to find out what we offer and when registration will be open!

Would you like to take part in the 2025 event as a volunteer? Contact the CERN events team to find out about our upcoming calls for volunteers!

Update on the “25 by ’25” strategy

(Image: CERN)


In spring 2021, the Diversity & Inclusion programme launched the “25 by ’25” strategy, an aspirational target-based initiative to boost the gender and nationality diversity of CERN’s staff and fellows population (MPEs) by the end of 2025. Objective: to reach 25% of women among MPEs by the end of 2025.

The latest statistics (see graphic) are very encouraging: CERN is only 1.3% away from its target!

_____

The International Particle Physics Outreach Group (IPPOG) has engaged communities in particle physics for more than 25 years. IPPOG also holds dedicated International Masterclasses for girls and women on the occasion of International Day of Women and Girls in Science and Technology.

anschaef Mon, 02/12/2024 - 15:24 Byline Mélissa Samson Publication Date Mon, 02/12/2024 - 15:18

Author Correction: A boost for laser fusion

Nature Physics - Δευ, 12/02/2024 - 00:00

Nature Physics, Published online: 12 February 2024; doi:10.1038/s41567-024-02433-z

Author Correction: A boost for laser fusion

Author Correction: Tunable quantum simulation of spin models with a two-dimensional ion crystal

Nature Physics - Δευ, 12/02/2024 - 00:00

Nature Physics, Published online: 12 February 2024; doi:10.1038/s41567-024-02432-0

Author Correction: Tunable quantum simulation of spin models with a two-dimensional ion crystal

A kagome antiferromagnet reaches its quantum plateau

Nature Physics - Δευ, 12/02/2024 - 00:00

Nature Physics, Published online: 12 February 2024; doi:10.1038/s41567-023-02383-y

It has long been predicted that spin-1/2 antiferromagnets on the kagome lattice should feature a series of plateaus in the change of its magnetization under an applied magnetic field. A quantum plateau of this kind has now been observed experimentally.

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