World’s largest atom smasher in Geneva restarts in run-up to new science experiments

Atom smasher restarts to prepare for new work

GENEVA — Operators of the world’s largest atom smasher say they have restarted their massive machine near Geneva in a preparation for experiments probing secrets of the universe.

Spokeswoman Christine Sutton says low energy beams of protons were sent in both directions around the 17-mile (27-kilometer) tunnel housing the Large Hadron Collider.

Sutton said Sunday the European Organization for Nuclear Research plans a cautious trial period of two to four weeks on the machine under the Swiss-French border.

Then it plans to ramp up the energy of the beams to unprecedented levels and start record-setting collisions of protons by late March.

During a winter shutdown scientists made improvements and checked out the LHC’s ability to operate at higher energy.