GSI Helmholtzzentrum für Schwerionenforschung

GSI Helmholtzzentrum für Schwerionenforschung operates a unique accelerator for heavy ions. Researchers from around the world use this facility for experiments that help them make fascinating discoveries in basic research. In addition, they continually develop new and impressive applications.

First experiment with the HITRAP decelerator
The HITRAP facility
Recently, the first experiment with the new HITRAP decelerator was carried out at GSI/FAIR. The facility can be used to decelerate heavy ions with few or no electrons in order to carry out precise experiments. In this first experiment, slow, highly charged gold ions were irradiated onto a surface in order to investigate induced transformations on the surface.
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Protons on the move
Lifted by crane
The BASE international research collaboration, in which Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf (HHU) and also GSI/FAIR are involved, has successfully relocated protons outside of an antimatter laboratory for the first time with the help of an autonomous, open Penning trap. This breakthrough marks a significant step toward transporting antiprotons produced at the European Organisation for Nuclear Research (CERN) to high-precision laboratories such as BASE-HHU, which operate independently of the…
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FAIR – the future accelerator facility

In the next few years the new international accelerator facility FAIR, one of the largest research projects worldwide, will be erected at GSI. At FAIR an unprecedented variety of experiments will be possible. Thereby physicists from all around the world will be able to gain new insights into the structure of matter and the evolution of the universe from the Big Bang to the present.
Learn more about FAIR: GSI about FAIR or FAIR web page

Cancer Treatment with Ion Beams

GSI is the birthplace of a new form of cancer treatment. This development was the result of many years of research in conjunction with GSI’s large ion-beam accelerator system. The advantage of this new treatment modality is that the ion beam selectively damages tumor tissues while sparing the surrounding healthy tissues. More...

The Creation of New Elements

Chemical elements are produced in stars and stellar explosions. Elements are the building blocks of all materials that surround us – including every atom of our bodies. The universe is also home to a large number of atoms that do not occur on earth. One of the key tasks of the researchers at GSI is to attempt to create previously unknown elements. More...


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