(source: IPPOG)
Slovak students from the Ľudovít Štúr School in Zvolen, Andrea Škvareninová and Radka Veselá, won the international physics competition Particles4U by constructing a Paul ion trap using only easily accessible and low cost tools. They were able to demonstrate catching ions in a trap with the help of green laser light. Ion traps use dynamic electric fields to trap charged particles.
The competition, which was attended by participants from 15 countries, was organized by the International Particle Physics Outreach Group with support from the European Physical Society. The aim of competitors, who were divided into two categories over or under 12 years old, was to create educational, funny and inspiring tools that demonstrate the presence of elementary particles in everyday life.
