Physics

Gran Sasso Videogame takes place in the Gran Sasso National Laboratories of INFN and is based on real experiments at the cutting-edge of research in modern physics.

In order to discover which experiments are part of the game and how real this game is, browse through the following cards.
Each one is also available in short version when playing, so that you can come up with the solution.
Four research areas of the Gran Sasso Laboratories are present in the game: solar neutrinos, nuclear astrophysics, dark matter and double beta decay without neutrino emissions.

Double beta decay

The double beta decay without neutrino emission, it has never been observed.

Glove Box

In the ‘’glove box‘’ the objects handled have not to be contaminated.

The Roman lead

More than 2000 years old and for this reason is perfect for shielding experiments from natural radioactivity present in materials.

Refrigerator

To observe double beta decay, extremely low temperatures are necessary to measure the small temperature changes.

Alpha spectrometer

Measures the radiation emitted by a material, such as lead, identifying which and how many radioactive elements are present inside.

3D printer

Starting from a computer-drawing, the 3D printer uses resins to build components for an experimental apparatus.

Pure element

The preparation of a target requires the use of a material with a high percentage of the isotopes of the elements to be studied.

Nuclear astrophysics

Reproduces the nuclear reactions occurring in stars by hitting different types of targets with charged particle beams.

Accelerator

A machine used in nuclear astrophysics experiments to accelerate charged particles.

Compass

Usually used for orienteering, it is also a good sensor to detect the presence of a strong magnetic field.

Condenser

In a circuit a faulty capacitor causes a malfunction and must be changed with another one of the same capacity.

Target component

To study the reactions occurring inside stars in a laboratory, one needs to prepare a target.

Multimeter

It is present in each laboratory, it’s a portable tool useful to test the functioning and the characteristics of electrical circuits and its components.

Vacuum pump

Generates a strong magnetic field when it is in operation.

Tantalum

Used as backing for target preparation.

Dark matter

Our current knowledge covers only about 15% of the matter in the Universe. The remaining 85% is dark matter, of which we know virtually nothing.

Distillation column

To purify Xenon one uses the phase changes between liquid and gas inside a column.

Sample tube

Xenon samples are periodically extracted from the distillation column to evaluate the purity.

Data analysis

To run the software which analyses the collected data, a password is needed, which is in plain view but hidden among other pieces of information.

Muon veto

A water tank equipped with photomultipliers allows to subtract background signals in experiments that are searching for elusive particles.

Xenon

Noble gas with special features used in experiments for direct detection of dark matter. Needs to be pure.

Solar neutrinos

They come from the core of the sun, they are among the most elusive particles of the Universe and very large and radio pure detectors are necessary to detect them.

Synchronized photomultipliers

Laser light is used to synchronize the photomultipliers.

Filter

Component used in the water purification process to remove particles in suspension and microorganisms.

Photomultiplier

The sphere must be almost completely covered by photomultipliers to capture the faint flashes of light.

Reverse osmosis membrane

Permeable to water but not to dissolved ions and molecules, it is used in the water purification process.

Water purification

Water is an excellent shielding material against radiations, but must be very pure.

Radon

Induces ‘’background’’ signals in the experiments; eliminated in the last phase of water purification.

Ion exchange resins

Synthetic resins used to remove ions from water and make it purer.

Scintillator

Material that absorbs energy from particles, which pass through it and re-emits it as light.

Spectrum

It shows all the interactions that occurred in the detector. To visualize only the contribution of the searched particles, it needs to be processed.

Suits

The suits protect the experiment from dust and other contaminations, which could compromise the result of the experiment.

Discover the experiments and help the alien to get back home!