In this fourth (and for the time being, last) episode in the series on physics at CERN we look at the LHC from the perspective of the beam producers, and more specifically, from the perspective of the control system for the LHC. To this end, we first talk to Vito Baggiolini, a software engineer in the controls group, and then we talk to Felix Ehm, a technical engineer for the beam control system. In the episode we recap what the LHC does and how it does it (you may want to re-listen to Episode 30 on the LHC), discuss the hardware elements used for beam control, some of the safety and security systems, as well as about the software aspects of the system.

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(56 votes, average:4.70)

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This episode is a conversation with CERN’s Niels Madsen about Antimatter. We first discuss theoretical aspects about the topic, and then focus on the ALPHA Experiment. Since Niels is an experimentalist and has helped building essential parts of the experiment, we discuss the experiment in some detail.

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(54 votes, average:4.89)

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In this episode we discuss neutrinos. In the first part we talk with CERN’s Gian Giudice about the theory of neutrinos; we also discuss what it would mean if they were actually faster than light. Part two is a conversation with Edda Gschwendtner about the CERN Neutrinos to Gran Sasso experiment and the OPERA detector.

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(56 votes, average:4.68)

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This is the first episode in a series of episodes on particle physics and related research at CERN. In this episode we are talking to John Ellis about the standard model of particle physics, which is the current “big picture” about how subatomic matter and fields work.

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(75 votes, average:4.75)

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This episode is a conversation with ESA astronaut Paolo Nespoli about the construction of and life on the ISS. As part of the STS-120 shuttle mission, Paolo was involved in installing the Harmony Module onto ISS. Later he served as a flight engineer on board ISS, as part of Expeditions 26 and 27. In the episode we talk about his two missions and compare the experiences on the Shuttle, the ISS and the Soyuz.

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(64 votes, average:4.59)

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In this episode we discuss the world’s fastest and highest flying jet-powered aircraft ever built, the Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird. Our guest is Col. (Ret) Richard Graham, a former SR-71 pilot. Our conversation is loosely based on his book Flying the SR-71, and we discuss the challenge of flying the SR-71. As a consequence of its unique capabilities and its engine and inlet design, the aircraft posed a number of very specific challenges on the pilot.

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(104 votes, average:4.73)

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In dieser Episode geht es um unseren Besuch im Bergwerk West im November 2011. Nachdem eine Aufnahme unter Tage aus Sicherheitsgründen nicht möglich ist, haben wir nach der Grubenfahrt im Büro von Ingo Junga unseren Besuch revuepassieren lassen und uns allgemein über Steinkohle und deren Abbau in Deutschland unterhalten.

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(53 votes, average:4.40)

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In Episode 89 beschäftigen wir uns mit einem Konzept zur Energieerzeugung und Übertragung, nämlich Desertec. Ich habe Dr. Franz Trieb am Institut für technische Thermodynamik des DLR in Stuttgart besucht und mit ihm über verschiedene Aspekte des Konzepts gesprochen, unter anderem über Kraftwerke, Infrastruktur und technische und ökonomische Randbedingungen.

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(75 votes, average:4.64)

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In dieser Episode sprechen wir mit Martin Plohr vom DLR, Institut für Antriebstechnik über Strahltriebwerke. Wir besprechen das grundlegende Funktionsprinzip, die verschiedenen Bauformen und Varianten die heutzutage im Einsatz sind sowie die wichtigsten Herausforderungen im Triebwerksbau für die Zukunft.

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(81 votes, average:4.70)

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In dieser Episode geht es um meinen Besuch beim JG 74 in Neuburg/Donau, wo ich mir den Eurofighter etwas genauer anschauen durfte. Zunächst gibt uns Ralf Schmitt einen Überblick über den Standort, den Verband und das Flugzeug. Wir sprechen dann mit Markus Dick über die Wartung des Flugzeuges. Als nächtes steht uns Danilo Schlag, Pilot und stv. Kommandeur der fliegenden Gruppe Rede und Antwort bzgl. der fliegerischen Aspekte des Eurofighters. Über die Elektronik und die Waffensysteme berichtet uns Uwe Schiller, und zum Abschluss werfen wir, nochmals mit Ralf Schmitt, einen Blick in die militärhistorische Sammlung des Flugplatzes.

Standard Podcast [ 1:54:47 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

(90 votes, average:4.47)

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