Under a mountain in Savoy, the particle hunt for “dark matter”, this parallel world that structures the universe

Physicists have funny ideas. Nevertheless, They claim to have opened a new window on the universe … For example, under under mountain savoy, particle hunt the Alps. Meanwhile, Not the most practical to see something. And yet.

Near Modane (Savoie). in the middle of the Fréjus tunnel, 6 kilometers from the entrance, between France and Italy, a metal door with gray blackened by the studs and plastic is marked with a prohibited sense. One of the physicists in yellow vest gives the top to cross the double track after passing heavy goods vehicles. cars. Behind the first door, a second, then a third. Finally opens a large gallery that sinks into the mountain. almost vertically from the Pointe du Fréjus, which culminates 1,700 meters higher, at 2,932 meters.

On the right, a room of a few square meters, with transparent walls which seem fragile. Inside, the prototype of an observation “window” almost unique in the world, called “Damic-M”. “We nickname him” the beautiful bedroom “. LBC, for” low background chamber “ under mountain savoy, particle hunt [chambre à bas bruit] »describes Antoine Letessier-Selvon, CNRS researcher at the nuclear physics laboratory and high energies (CNRS/Sorbonne University), the scientific coordinator of this mainly American-French experience, which has around fifty people.

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