X-Message-Number: 15308
From: "Jan Coetzee" <>
Subject: 'Universe not infinite'
Date: Wed, 10 Jan 2001 01:09:35 -0500

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'Universe not infinite'

        
     

Tokyo - Tokyo University scientists have developed an experiment designed to 
prove that the universe will eventually cease to exist by showing that protons -
the elemental building blocks of all matter - decay, a report said on Tuesday.


"If successful, the project would be the first of its kind to demonstrate proton
decay," said the Yomiuri Shimbun newspaper. A proton is a positively-charged, 
sub-atomic particle in the nucleus of all atoms. If protons decay, atoms would 
break down, which would result in all materials decaying sooner or later, the 
report said. The researchers plan to build a giant underground water tank rigged
with optical sensors to prove their theory. 


The tank will hold a total of one million tons of pure water in eight separate 
containers 50 metres (54 yards) square. The water would be monitored for any 
signs of Cerenkov radiation, which is believed to be emitted by protons as they 
decay, the report said. 


The Tokyo University researchers have tentatively named the planned facility 
Hyper-Kamiokande, after the town of Kamioka in Gifu prefecture 250 kilometres 
(156 miles) west of Tokyo the report said. 


Yoji Totsuka, Tokyo University professor leading the project, could not be 
reached for comment. 


The researchers are expected to start developing the sensors for detecting 
Cerenkov radiation later this year, the report said. The facility is estimated 
to cost 40 billion yen (344.8 million dollars) and researchers hope to start 
actual observations in 10 years. 


Researchers said they expect to come to a definitive conclusion on whether 
protons decay within five years of starting the experiment, the Yomiuri said. 


Totsuka told the Yomiuri Shimbun that the research team should theoretically be 
able to observe one decaying proton every year in the Hyper-Kamiokande. 


"With Hyper-Kamiokande, we hope to make more contributions to the world's basic 
research science," Totsuka told Yomiuri. 


All protons were believed to have been created immediately after the Big Bang, 
the cosmic explosion that is believed to have brought the universe into being 15
billion years ago. 


Although no one has yet observed proton decay, scientists have increasingly 
started to theorise that protons decay with an average life expectancy of one 
trillion times one trillion times 10 billion years, or an order of magnitude 20 
times greater than the age of the universe the newspaper said. 


Researchers in the United States are also drawing up a plan for a similar 
experiment in an attempt to become the first one to prove the ultimate decay of 
a proton, the Yomiuri said. - Sapa-AFP




 


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