High Energy Physics Research Group
Department of Physics
High Energy Physics Research Group
University of Colombo Partners with Georgia State University to Expand Global Cosmic Ray Detector Network
The University of Colombo (UOC) is pleased to announce a significant partnership with Georgia State University (GSU) to advance global research in space and terrestrial weather monitoring. This collaboration, formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed on March 31, 2023, integrates UOC into GSU’s ambitious project, “Modeling Terrestrial and Space Weather and Building Climate Research Awareness through a Global Deployment of Cosmic Ray Muon Detector Network,” funded by the National Science Foundation (USA).
This partnership has already led to the installation of Sri Lanka’s first cosmic ray muon detectors at two strategic locations: the University of Colombo and Uva Wellassa University (UWU) in Badulla. These detectors, designed by GSU, are notable for their portability, cost-effectiveness, and ease of installation. They are part of a broader initiative to establish a global network of cosmic ray detectors, with deployments already completed in the U.S., Sri Lanka, Colombia, Singapore, Nigeria, and Serbia, as part of GSU’s effort to build a global muon detector network. The primary goal of this network is to collect and analyze data on cosmic rays, which are crucial for understanding the interplay between space weather and climate change.
The project is spearheaded by a distinguished team from GSU, including Dr. Ashwin Ashok, an associate professor in computer science and engineering; Dr. Xiaochun He, a Regents’ Professor of physics and astronomy specializing in nuclear and particle physics; and Dr. A. G. Unil Perera, a Regents’ Professor of physics and astronomy with expertise in device and biomedical physics. At UOC, the project is led by Prof. Upul Sonnadara, Dr. Kithsiri Jayananda, and Mr. Deshitha Wickramarathna, who will work closely with GSU to ensure the success of this initiative.
This collaboration not only strengthens the global network but also provides a unique platform for joint research, particularly in the areas of climate science and cosmic ray studies. UOC is excited to be at the forefront of this international initiative, contributing to the advancement of knowledge in these critical fields.
SAHEPI-2 Workshop
CERN, the Ministry of Science, Technology and Research, Sri Lanka, the University of Ruhuna and the University of Colombo collaborated in holding the second CERN-South Asian High Energy Physics Instrumentation Workshop (SAHEPI-2) successfully in Colombo, Sri Lanka, on the 20th and 21st of February, 2019. SAHEPI-2 brought together physicists and policymakers from CERN, the South Asian region, and neighbouring countries. A total of 70 participants attended the workshop including representatives from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, the Maldives, Mauritius, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
The aim of SAHEPI-2 was to strengthen the scientific co-operation between CERN and the South Asian region. The workshop provided an opportunity for countries to enhance their existing contacts and to establish new connections within the region, with the objective of initiating new intraregional collaborations in particle physics and related technologies, including the promotion of the exchange of researchers and students within the region.
The CERN-Sri Lanka link was established as a result of a road-map developed by a delegation comprising 5 Sri Lankan physicists (including Professor W.G.D. Dharmaratne from the University of Ruhuna and Professor D.U.J. Sonnadara from the University of Colombo) visiting CERN in May 2017. At present, University of Ruhuna and University of Colombo are members of the CMS experiment conducted at LHC in CERN.
More information on the SAHEPI-2 workshop is available at the following link.
GEM Detectors at CMS
CMS Master Class – Physics Without Frontiers
ICTP Physics Without Frontiers inspire, train and motivate physics and mathematics university students worldwide to help build the next generation of scientists. We have invited PWF to Department of Physics, University of Colombo to conduct a workshop for students specialized in Physics in Universities all over the country (Colombo, Peradeniya, Jaffna, Sri Jayewardenepura, Kelaniya and Ruhuna) to learning to analyze data from the CMS-Experiment to discover the Z and W bosons. The workshop was held on February 22, 2019.
