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The Universe Observed With Particle Detectors: Celebrating the Scientific Legacy...
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The Universe Observed With Particle Detectors: Celebrating the Scientific Legacy of Prof. Guido Barbiellini Amidei

A special issue of Condensed Matter (ISSN 2410-3896).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 November 2025 | Viewed by 5272

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Antonio Bianconi

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Rome International Center for Materials Science Superstripes (RICMASS), Via dei Sabelli 119A, 00185 Roma, Italy
Interests: synchrotron radiation research; protein fluctuations; active sites of metalloproteins; origin of life; selected molecules in prebiotic world; quantum phenomena in complex matter; quantum confinement; superstripes in complex matter; lattice complexity in transition metal oxides; high Tc superconductors; valence fluctuation materials
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Prof. Dr. Bernardo Barbiellini

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Physics, School of Engineering Science, LUT University, FI-53851 Lappeenranta, Finland
Interests: theoretical physics; density functional theory; computational materials science; X-ray spectroscopy; positron spectroscopy
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue of Condensed Matter will honor Guido Barbiellini’s groundbreaking work and legacy.

Guido Barbiellini Amidei was a distinguished physicist whose profound impact spanned multiple areas of scientific research, particularly high-energy physics, condensed matter, and detector technologies. Born in Rome in 1936, Guido was a central figure in pioneering projects that expanded our understanding of matter and particle interactions.

Career Highlights:

Guido's contributions to high-energy physics and collaborations at CERN were significant. He played a key role in experimentally testing the standard model of particle physics at Frascati and CERN. Notably, he was a key participant in the DELPHI experiment of the Large Electron–Positron Collider (LEP), collaborating with renowned physicists such as Ugo Amaldi.

As a pioneer in silicon detector technology, Guido developed tools essential for both laboratory experiments and space exploration. His foundational contributions to NASA’s Fermi Project utilized silicon detectors to study gamma rays, leading to transformative discoveries in astrophysics.  He served as co-principal investigator for the Italian Space Agency’s AGILE project, using similar silicon detectors to advance gamma-ray studies and deepen our understanding of high-energy astrophysical phenomena. Guido was instrumental in establishing the Sincrotrone ELETTRA in Trieste, which has since become a cornerstone for interdisciplinary research in physics, materials science, and biology.

Beyond his technical contributions, Guido was deeply committed to mentoring the next generation of physicists, leaving a lasting influence on students and colleagues.

Notable Publications:

Guido co-authored influential papers in top journals like Nature and Physical Review Letters. His collaboration with Giuseppe Cocconi on gamma-ray astronomy is particularly noteworthy.

The  works of Guido Barbiellini Amidei span his diverse areas of expertise, such as the following:

  • Silicon detector applications in physics and space science.
  • Advances in synchrotron radiation.
  • Studies of gamma-ray phenomena.
  • Contributions to high-energy physics experiments.

This tribute will also include historical perspectives on his career and collaborative works, providing a comprehensive overview of his scientific journey and its impact on modern physics.

Prof. Dr. Antonio Bianconi
Prof. Dr. Bernardo Barbiellini
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Condensed Matter is an international peer-reviewed open access quarterly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 1600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • high-energy physics
  • detector technologies
  • silicon detector
  • gamma-ray phenomena
  • synchrotron radiation

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Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

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5 pages, 197 KB  
Communication
Nevanlinna Analytical Continuation of the Central Charge in 2D Conformal Field Theory
by Bernardo Barbiellini
Condens. Matter 2025, 10(3), 37; https://doi.org/10.3390/condmat10030037 - 8 Jul 2025
Viewed by 414
Abstract
We present an analytic continuation of the central charge c in two-dimensional conformal field theory (2D CFT), modeled as a Nevanlinna function—an analytic map from the upper half-plane to itself. Motivated by the structure of vacuum energies arising from the quantization of spin- [...] Read more.
We present an analytic continuation of the central charge c in two-dimensional conformal field theory (2D CFT), modeled as a Nevanlinna function—an analytic map from the upper half-plane to itself. Motivated by the structure of vacuum energies arising from the quantization of spin-j conformal fields on the circle, we derive a discrete spectrum of central charges c(j)=1+6j(j+1) and extend it continuously via c(z)=1+6z. The Möbius-inverted form f(z)=1−6/z satisfies the conditions of a Nevanlinna function, providing a physically consistent analytic structure that captures both the unitarity of minimal models (c<1) and the continuous spectrum for c≥1. This unified framework highlights the connection between spectral theory, analyticity, and conformal symmetry in quantum field theory. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Universe Observed With Particle Detectors: Celebrating the Scientific Legacy of Prof. Guido Barbiellini Amidei)

Review

Jump to: Research, Other

11 pages, 232 KB  
Review
Antimatter Research at the CERN Antiproton Decelerator: Legacy of Guido Barbiellini Amidei
by Rafael Ferragut
Condens. Matter 2025, 10(2), 32; https://doi.org/10.3390/condmat10020032 - 3 Jun 2025
Viewed by 1845
Abstract
This work reviews the current research directions pursued by collaborations at CERN’s Antiproton Decelerator (AD), with an outlook on future perspectives and challenges in the field. The advancement of precision studies on antimatter builds upon foundational contributions by pioneering researchers, such as Guido [...] Read more.
This work reviews the current research directions pursued by collaborations at CERN’s Antiproton Decelerator (AD), with an outlook on future perspectives and challenges in the field. The advancement of precision studies on antimatter builds upon foundational contributions by pioneering researchers, such as Guido Barbiellini Amidei, whose early work on antimatter detection and instrumentation has profoundly influenced the design and methodologies of contemporary experiments at the AD and beyond. This review underscores the lasting impact of these early innovations on ongoing investigations into fundamental symmetries and interactions involving antimatter. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Universe Observed With Particle Detectors: Celebrating the Scientific Legacy of Prof. Guido Barbiellini Amidei)

Other

Jump to: Research, Review

8 pages, 253 KB  
Perspective
Very High-Energy Cosmic Ray Particles from the Kerr Black Hole at the Galaxy Center
by Orlando Panella, Simone Pacetti, Giorgio Immirzi and Yogendra Srivastava
Condens. Matter 2025, 10(3), 47; https://doi.org/10.3390/condmat10030047 - 23 Aug 2025
Viewed by 263
Abstract
After a just tribute to Guido Barbiellini, we show how the notion of a maximum force (Fmax=c4/4G≃3×1043 Newtons) present on the event horizon of a black hole (BH) can be [...] Read more.
After a just tribute to Guido Barbiellini, we show how the notion of a maximum force (Fmax=c4/4G≃3×1043 Newtons) present on the event horizon of a black hole (BH) can be used in conjunction with the Wilson area rule to obtain the surface confinement of the mass of a BH analogous to the surface confinement of quarks. This is then translated into the central result of the paper that PeV scale protons exist on the surface of the Kerr BH residing at our galactic center, a result in complete agreement with the HAWC Collaboration result of a Pevatron at the galactic center. We conjecture that the supermassive BHs present at the center of most galaxies are not born out of a galactic collapse but that they must have been present since the formation of their hosting galaxy. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Universe Observed With Particle Detectors: Celebrating the Scientific Legacy of Prof. Guido Barbiellini Amidei)
11 pages, 223 KB  
Essay
Beyond Space and Time: Quantum Superposition as a Real-Mental State About Choices
by Antoine Suarez
Condens. Matter 2025, 10(3), 43; https://doi.org/10.3390/condmat10030043 - 6 Aug 2025
Viewed by 583
Abstract
This contribution aims to honour Guido Barbiellini’s profound interest in the interpretation and impact of quantum mechanics by examining the implications of the so-called before–before Experiment on quantum entanglement. This experiment was inspired by talks and discussions with John Bell at CERN. This [...] Read more.
This contribution aims to honour Guido Barbiellini’s profound interest in the interpretation and impact of quantum mechanics by examining the implications of the so-called before–before Experiment on quantum entanglement. This experiment was inspired by talks and discussions with John Bell at CERN. This was during the years when John and Guido co-worked, promoting the mission of the laboratory: “to advance the boundaries of human knowledge”. As the experiment uses measuring devices in motion, it can be considered a complement to entanglement experiments using stationary measuring devices, which have meanwhile been awarded the 2022 Nobel Prize in Physics. The before–before Experiment supports the idea that the quantum realm exists beyond space and time and that the quantum state is a real mental entity concerning choices. As it also leads us to a better understanding of the ‘quantum collapse’ and the measurement process, we pay homage to Guido’s work on detectors, such as his collaborations on the DELPHI experiment at CERN, on cosmic ray detection at the International Space Station, and gamma-ray astrophysics during a large NASA space mission. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Universe Observed With Particle Detectors: Celebrating the Scientific Legacy of Prof. Guido Barbiellini Amidei)
8 pages, 2120 KB  
Perspective
Axion Searches at the CERN SPS: From Their Dawn to Current Prospects
by Paolo Crivelli and Martina Mongillo
Condens. Matter 2025, 10(3), 42; https://doi.org/10.3390/condmat10030042 - 5 Aug 2025
Viewed by 438
Abstract
This mini-review traces the evolution of axion searches at the CERN Super Proton Synchrotron (SPS), beginning with the early proposal by Guido Barbiellini in 1982 and culminating in the recent advances of the NA62 and NA64 experiments. We discuss the experimental strategies employed [...] Read more.
This mini-review traces the evolution of axion searches at the CERN Super Proton Synchrotron (SPS), beginning with the early proposal by Guido Barbiellini in 1982 and culminating in the recent advances of the NA62 and NA64 experiments. We discuss the experimental strategies employed in early beam dump searches, the current status of axion and axion-like particle (ALP) searches at the CERN SPS and future directions. This review serves as a tribute to Guido Barbiellini’s scientific legacy and his visionary contributions to this field. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Universe Observed With Particle Detectors: Celebrating the Scientific Legacy of Prof. Guido Barbiellini Amidei)
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8 pages, 227 KB  
Perspective
The Standard Model of Particle Physics and What Lies Beyond: A View from the Bridge
by Pran Nath
Condens. Matter 2025, 10(2), 34; https://doi.org/10.3390/condmat10020034 - 13 Jun 2025
Viewed by 947
Abstract
The standard models of particle physics and of cosmology have been enormously successful in correlating a large amount of data. However, there are missing pieces and we are still far from what the ultimate model may look like. We give a broad perspective [...] Read more.
The standard models of particle physics and of cosmology have been enormously successful in correlating a large amount of data. However, there are missing pieces and we are still far from what the ultimate model may look like. We give a broad perspective of both the achievements and of the missing pieces and discuss what may lie beyond. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Universe Observed With Particle Detectors: Celebrating the Scientific Legacy of Prof. Guido Barbiellini Amidei)
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