Abstract:

In this work we show one of the first application based on a Virtual Reality (VR) system technology in the nuclear physics field and we present how this approach can be useful for science communication and teaching.

Our goal is to put together particle physics and VR in order to encourage people of all ages to approach to the physics world even if it is typically one of the most tough science to be communicated or taught. As a matter of fact, the study of this subject starts at the end of the physics degree course.

On the other side, VR systems are currently one of best architecture used for interactive experiences, since it guarantees a complete immersion of the user into a simulated but realistic environment. In recent years it is mostly used in video games area, mostly grabbing the attention of a young audience but in general it is very attractive for everybody.

Our aim is to teach how a high energy physics experiment works, from the description of the systems to the physical concepts.

In particular we will describe the Belle II experiment which is host at KEK laboratory (Tsukuba, Japan). Its working principle is based on a system of accelerators and the main one is called SuperKEKB. The latter is a circular accelerator of about 3 km of circumference and it allows to collides e- (electron) and e+ (positron : antiparticle of electron) in a particular point in space. Around the collision point the detector system has been built in order to detect all the various particles produced by the collision.

The experiment has the highest luminosity ever reached (ie highest number of collisions per second) and aims to investigate a new physics frontier from the matter-antimatter asymmetry problem to the existence of a dark matter particle.

The Belle II collaboration created a VR application that represents in detail the whole detector and a part of the accelerator. Moreover, it is possible to have a look at the particles created inside the detector from their generation to the end. It is possible to explain various physics concepts by exploiting the best visual representation of the experiment and the elementary particles moving inside it. In fact the particles follows very precise rules that are taken into account by a specific software for particle interaction with matter. The degree of detail obtained thanks to this software allows to understand how particles really behave and how the Belle II detector can “see” them.

This VR application represents one of the only powerful tool for "observation" in the science of the infinitely small. Many people are curious about nuclear physics and the advantage of this particular didactic tool is that it is accessible by a wide range of people: from high schools student, through curious audience until university professors.

Keywords:

Virtual Reality, Nuclear Physics, Particle Physics, Comunication Tool, Serious Game, Educational Software, Physics Software, Science Comunication.