Artificial Retina Detects Sub-Atomic Particles

Artificial Retina Detects Sub-Atomic Particles
Paige Giffault

Scientists have been able to use the way the human eye works to create a processor that can detect subatomic particles, like our eyes can. According to the article, this new processor can analyze these particles 400 times faster than currently possible. This processor was created based on a mathematical algorithm and mirrors the way the human eye can recognize certain images and patterns.


The retina in our eyes processes what we see by instantaneously responding to certain shapes. The artificial retina processor works in a similar way. Diego Tonelli, a physicist from the European Organization for Nuclear Research claims that the artificial retina "detects and analyzes a snapshot of the trajectory of each particle collision". Algorithms are composed and calculated from these snapshots and the information is relayed on to a computer.

Since this machine produces about 40 million collisions per second, there is a lot of data and changed particles to analyze. However, the success of such a machine and algorithm could dramatically speed up the process of sorting and analyzing the data.  Currently, this algorithm could be able to scan and decode the data. However, more extensive experiments must be done for this to occur. This could be a potential scientific breakthrough which could help us understand more complex areas like antimatter.

Tara Shears, a physicist  form the University of Liverpool, claims that when that once the algorithm can be used in the Large Hadron Collider (LHC), then they will be able to operate with a more intense beam of protons and more data to possible support their findings.