Fermilab is the main laboratory in the area of ​​particle physics in the United States. 

The Director of the Department of Physics, Dr. Juan Carlos Helo, along with two academics, were part of the delegation that toured the AURA laboratories, where they were accompanied by William Brooks (Fermilab), Raquel Pezoa, from the Federico Santa María University and Cristian Peña, scientist associated with Fermilab.

At the site, guided by Marco Bonati, they experienced the high-level technological development that the facility has in terms of astronomical research and engineering. The Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy (AURA) makes significant advances in astronomical research, which is relevant for Physics and Astronomy majors at ULS.

During the visit, interesting tools and facilities were observed, such as the Data Center servers that store AURA data, for example, the images captured from space, which can weigh about 12 gigabytes each. They also accessed the AURA mechanical workshop, where Bonani explained the use of lathes, milling machines, linear positioners for optical instruments, among others.

Physics ULS is applying for a Millennium Nucleus of ANID, called Quantic, and with this visit and meeting with the Rector of the state university, Dr. Luperfina Rojas, the Vice-Rector for Research and Postgraduate Studies, Dr. Héctor Cuevas and Fermilab emphasizes its commitment to public access to knowledge, to strengthen strategic alliances that position our schools and academics internationally.

Meeting with ULS Rector

Dr. Juan Carlos Helo, William Brooks, Raquel Pezoa and Cristián Peña met with the ULS Rector, Dr. Héctor Cuervas and Dr. Luis Palma, Dean of the Faculty of Sciences, in order to explore the potential for collaboration between said institutions and AURA.

“We are seeking to establish a formal agreement with Fermilab to access their cutting-edge laboratories worldwide. This access will allow not only to carry out cutting-edge research, but also to strengthen our development in the field of experimental physics and astro-engineering,” said the Director of the ULS Physics Department, Dr. Juan Carlos Helo.