Inside the world’s particle‑physics labs: Global Physics Photowalk 2025 winners revealed

This is the fifth international photowalk following events held in 2010, 2012, 2015 and 2018 The post Inside the world’s particle‑physics labs: Global Physics Photowalk 2025 winners revealed appeared first on Physics World .

6 April 2026 at 07:51 pm

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Inside the world’s particle-physics labs: Global Physics Photowalk 2025 winners revealed

The fifth edition of the Global Physics Photowalk has concluded, with the winners announced by the Interactions Collaboration, an international network of particle physics institutions. This prestigious event, which took place in 2025, marked the fifth time that labs from around the globe opened their doors to both amateur and professional photographers. This year, 16 labs participated in the competition, each submitting their top three images for consideration. The judges selected their top three photos, while the public also had the opportunity to vote for their favorites through an online poll held between 13 and 27 January.

The judges' first-place winner was Marco Donghia's photograph, which features a researcher seated in front of the Cryogenic Laboratory for Detectors at INFN National Laboratories in Frascati, Italy. The experiment housed within this laboratory is designed to detect extremely weak and rare signals, such as those produced by dark matter. Donghia's image captures the stark, cold environment of the cryogenic laboratory, where temperatures are just a few fractions of a degree above absolute zero. The photographer expressed his emotions upon learning of his win, stating, "Finding out I had won left me speechless. The cryostat I photographed is just a few fractions of a degree above absolute zero, yet this recognition filled me with such warmth and emotion that no cryogenic temperature could cool them down."

The public's top choice was a photograph of the back of the linear accelerator of SPIRAL2, located at the Large Heavy Ion National Accelerator (GANIL) in Caen, France. This image showcases the impressive scale and intricate machinery of the laboratory, highlighting the cutting-edge research being conducted in the field of particle physics.

In the judges' competition, second place was awarded to Matteo Monzali for his photograph of the Advanced Gamma Tracking Array photon detector coupled with the PRISMA magnetic spectrometer. This experiment is based at the TANDEM-ALPI-PIAVE accelerator complex at INFN National Laboratories in Legnaro, Italy. The image beautifully captures the intricate interplay of technology and science, showcasing the complex systems that particle physicists use to explore the fundamental nature of matter and the universe.

The Global Physics Photowalk has become an annual event, providing a unique opportunity for the public to gain a glimpse into the world of particle physics research. Through these stunning photographs, the labs not only showcase their cutting-edge experiments but also foster a deeper understanding and appreciation of the scientific endeavors taking place within their walls. The winners of the 2025 edition have not only captured the essence of their respective laboratories but have also highlighted the passion and dedication of the researchers and photographers involved in this extraordinary competition.

Source: Physics World

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