Behind The Scenes At CERN The World's Largest Particle Physics Laboratory

MEYRIN, SWITZERLAND - APRIL 19: A general view of the Collinear Resonant Ionization Spectroscopy or CRIS experiment at ISOLDE which performed some of the worlds most sensitive measurements of the nuclear structure of francium, one of the rarest and least-understood elements during a behind the scenes tour at CERN, the World's Largest Particle Physics Laboratory on April 19, 2017 in Meyrin, Switzerland. The Isotope mass Separator On-Line DEvice (ISOLDE) studies the properties of atomic nuclei, with further applications in fundamental studies, astrophysics, material and life sciences. It is a unique source of low-energy beams of radioactive nuclides that is delivered to various experimental stations (around fifty each year). Presently, more than 450 researchers are active at ISOLDE. (Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images)