General Lab Information

hero image

Exploring the building blocks of matter and the nature of space and time

Vibrant programs in experimental and theoretical research in nuclear and high-energy physics, and accelerator design.

Our Mission

The mission of the Fundamental Interactions and Particles Directorate is to lead and support discovery-based, innovation-driven research at the frontiers of the subatomic world. We are world-leading in nuclear physics research that serves international scientific communities. We are building the Electron-Ion Collider, a unique high-luminosity polarized collider that will unlock the secrets of the strongest force in Nature. We play a leading role in global particle physics programs to understand the world of elementary particles and their interactions and expand our understanding of the cosmos. Our pursuit of this fundamental and discovery research yields scientific and technological breakthroughs that benefit society.

Our commitment to safety

We are committed to ensuring that all staff and visitors have a safe and healthy working environment, protecting the general public and the environment from unacceptable environmental, safety and health risks.

Research Areas

Nuclear Physics

Our nuclear physics program investigates how nuclear matter emerges from quarks and gluons produced at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider (RHIC). We are designing and constructing the Electron-Ion Collider (EIC), a tool for determining how the structures of the proton and neutron emerge from the interactions of their quarks and gluons.

Particle Physics

Brookhaven Lab leads global particle physics experiments to explore the fundamental constituents of nature to discover phenomena that signal physics beyond the Standard Model. We are advancing studies of the Higgs boson, and revealing mysteries of neutrinos and the secrets of the cosmos.

Accelerator Science

Our staff design and construct new particle accelerator facilities in support of the Laboratory's mission. We support the experimental program through design, construction, and operation of beam transports to experiments and supplies expertise for detector and research needs.

Local and Global Impact

The world-leading science explored within the Fundamental Interactions and Particles Directorate (FIP)—and the design and operation of technologies that make the science possible—generate benefits across a wide array of scientific fields and for society in general.

  • photo of resarcher at accelerator test facility
    LEADERSHIP IN SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

    FIP projects attract the world’s best and brightest accelerator scientists, experimental and theoretical physicists, engineers, and technicians to tackle unique challenges and develop new technologies.

  • photo of a gear against a technological background
    AN ECONOMIC ENGINE

    FIP projects can drive economic advancement through the transfer of new technologies and knowhow to the commercial sector.

  • image of brookhaven scientist leading student session
    EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES

    FIP projects offer countless educational opportunities for students from high school to graduate school, and for training a highly skilled workforce — the scientists, engineers, and tech-savvy workers who will tackle today’s scientific and technological challenges—and imagine and implement the advances of tomorrow.

  • photo of workers building the sphenix detector
    JOBS

    FIP projects support jobs — including in construction and other trades while facilities are being built, plus long-term highly skilled jobs in science, engineering, and technology for the duration of experimental operations.

  • schematic of the Cornell-Brookhaven Energy Recovery Linac Test Accelerator
    ADVANCED ACCELERATORS

    FIP projects drive the evolution of innovative accelerator technologies that can also be used to explore properties of materials such as superconductors and batteries; study proteins involved in disease; deliver particle beam cancer therapy; make and test computer chips; and kill germs in our food supply.

  • photo of fixed-field, alternating-gradient beam transport magnets
    MAGNIFICENT MAGNETS

    Physicists and engineers working on FIP projects have designed and constructed sophisticated magnets for research facilities all around the world. Some of these magnet designs could be used in new types of energy storage or facilities for more efficient delivery of effective cancer treatments.

  • image of particle detector rendering
    DETECTOR TECHNOLOGY

    Technology developed for tracking particles in FIP experiments may be applied in medical imaging, to identify illicit cargo, and support other national security applications.

  • visual conception of big data
    TACKLING BIG DATA

    FIP experiments drive the development of powerful data-processing and analysis tools, including approaches that use machine learning and artificial intelligence. These tools can be applied to other data-intensive challenges such as understanding climate change; tracking global pandemics; and tackling challenges in national security.

‹ ›