
University of Alberta Physicists Snag Prestigious 2025 Breakthrough Prize in Fundamental Physics
2025-05-19
Author: Amelia
Celebrating Groundbreaking Achievements in Physics
A monumental victory for the University of Alberta as physicists Doug Gingrich and James Pinfold are honored with the esteemed 2025 Breakthrough Prize in Fundamental Physics. This accolade recognizes transformative contributions to the realm of physics.
Inside the ATLAS Project at CERN
Over the past 30 years, Gingrich and Pinfold have played pivotal roles in the development of the ATLAS detector at CERN in Switzerland. This colossal eight-story, 7,000-ton marvel—buried 100 meters underground—was specifically designed to probe the mysteries of particle physics, from the elusive black holes to the nature of dark matter.
Battling Challenges and Defying Odds
Reflecting on his journey, Gingrich recalls the thrill of testing electronics at the particle accelerator. "The excitement was palpable; we often faced the unexpected and managed to scrape together valuable data at the last possible moment. Each success felt like a personal victory after sleepless nights of hard work," he shared.
One of the project’s significant hurdles was the exorbitant costs associated with building microelectronics. "Initially, we faced a daunting 20% success rate, but through innovation and perseverance, we dramatically improved this figure as the technology evolved," he noted.
Exploring New Frontiers with MoEDAL-MAPP
In their quest for knowledge, Pinfold and Gingrich are also spearheading the Monopole and Exotics Detector at the LHC (MoEDAL-MAPP) experiment. This initiative aims to construct an additional detector to further explore the frontiers of physics.
From High School Dreams to High-Energy Physics
Gingrich's fascination with physics ignited in high school, where he thrived in an academic paradise of math and science classes. "Once I delved into particle physics literature during my undergraduate years, I was hooked. The pivotal moment came during a summer co-op job near Chicago—I knew I had found my calling and never looked back," he reminisced.
The Search for Quantum Gravity and Black Holes
Beyond electronics, Gingrich's exploratory pursuits included the enigmatic search for black holes, linked to quantum gravity theories. "I remember the electrifying moment when I realized I was among a handful of scientists equipped to analyze the LHC data, proclaiming that no black holes had appeared yet," he revealed.
Pinfold: The Builder Behind the Science
James Pinfold joined the U of A in 1992, launching the particle physics program and contributing to two major CERN experiments—OPAL and EAGLE. Notably, the merging of separate proposals led to the creation of the ATLAS team. Pinfold has fond memories of building a 400-ton liquid argon calorimeter and collaborating on the crucial LUCID luminosity detector.
Words of Wisdom for Aspiring Physicists
As mentors, both Gingrich and Pinfold have sage advice for young physicists. Pinfold stresses teamwork and the importance of contributing to larger projects, while also encouraging students to pursue unique, overlooked experiments. "Use your imagination to carve out your niche while fully contributing to the collective," he advised.
Gingrich urges students to seek out inspiring peer groups for personal growth. "In an international arena where everyone excels, recalibrate your perspective. Embrace the challenge as an opportunity for self-improvement!" he encouraged.