What (anti)matters to big bang scientists

A laboratory for studying one of the great mysteries of the universe has opened at the University of Sussex in England.

The Centre for the Measurement of Particle Electric Dipole Moments has been equipped with technology to help scientists discover what happened in the aftermath of the 'Big Bang'.

The question that has vexed astronomers for decades is why there is more matter in the universe than antimatter. Both were formed at the same time and for every particle formed, an antiparticle should also have been formed.

Almost immediately, the equal number of particles and antiparticles would have annihilated each other, leaving nothing but light. However, it seems more particles than antiparticles were created, leading to the creation of the stars and planets.

Antimatter now exists only at subatomic level. The work to be undertaken involves looking at neutrons and electrons in atoms and measuring the distribution of their electric charge, known as their electric dipole moment.

"We have not yet been able to see these dipole moments," said Professor Ed Hinds, Director of the new centre. "But with advancing technology, we are now on the verge of a breakthrough."