Economics Matters by Laurence Kotlikoff Podcast Boston University Particle Physicist, Professor Lawrence Sulak Describes His Amazing Contributions to Detecting the Secrets of the Universe 15 2 1× 0:00 Current time: 0:00 / Total time: -1:05:53 -1:05:53 Audio playback is not supported on your browser. Please upgrade. Boston University Particle Physicist, Professor Lawrence Sulak Describes His Amazing Contributions to Detecting the Secrets of the Universe Larry Kotlikoff Apr 16, 2025 15 2 Share Transcript Larry Sulak is one of our nation's gifts to science and a dear friend. He joined Boston University from MIT with the goal of building a world-class physics department—and he succeeded. But his groundbreaking work has been in the creation, together with collaborators, of extraordinary particle detection devices. Larry is especially known for his contributions to neutrino detector technology, including the IceCube Neutrino Observatory, Super-K, and the CMS Forward Hadronic Calorimeter at CERN, which played a crucial role in the discovery of the Higgs boson. Sulak and his collaborators also built the ANTARES Observatory, a deep-sea neutrino telescope located in the Mediterranean Sea off the coast of France. The telescope is designed to search for point sources of high-energy neutrinos. Recently, scientists using the Cubic Kilometre Neutrino Telescope (KM3NeT) in the Mediterranean detected the highest energy neutrino yet observed. This podcast is a fascinating learning experience, presented by one of the world’s most engaging and inspiring science educators. Here’s a description, in Larry’s own words, of his contribution to the discovery of the Higgs boson: My main focus is exploring the unification of particle physics using novel calorimetric detectors. With colleagues, I designed and built the first massive liquid scintillator calorimeter and large area drift chambers, and performed the analysis that discovered neutral weak currents using neutrino beams. This work was the first to demonstrate that two of the four fundamental forces—the weak and the electromagnetic—are unified. I then designed and prototyped a Cherenkov detector to search for the predicted signal of Grand Unification (proton decay) and for neutrino oscillations, which we discovered. Applying the Cherenkov detection techniques to quartz fibers, my collaborators and I developed the forward calorimeter for the CMS detector at the Large Hadron Collider. This was instrumental in the discovery of the Higgs boson. About Larry Sulak: Larry is the David M. Myers Distinguished Professor at Boston University. His research spans Higgs detection, neutrino physics, astrophysics, and major contributions to cosmic ray and monopole observatories. He earned his undergraduate degree at Carnegie Mellon University and completed his graduate work at Princeton University, where his dissertation focused on precise measurements in particle physics. Larry’s early career contributions are noted in works by prominent science historians and authors, and his role in shaping experimental particle physics continues to be celebrated by peers around the world. He is the recipient of several prestigious awards, including recognition for his pioneering work in experimental particle physics. Subscribe Share Max Out Your Social Security Economic Matters - The podcast is hosted by Laurence Kotlikoff, a Boston University Economist, a NY Times Best Selling Author , President of maxifi.com , and Author of Money Magic . Stay Connected: Facebook , Twitter , LinkedIn Apple Podcasts Google Podcasts Spotify iHeart Amazon Music Discussion about this episode Comments Restacks Economics Matters by Laurence Kotlikoff Podcast Economics can make a massive difference - collectively and personally. Listen in as we chat with some of the most influential leaders in economics across the globe. Economics can make a massive difference - collectively and personally. Listen in as we chat with some of the most influential leaders in economics across the globe. Subscribe Listen on Substack App RSS Feed Appears in episode Larry Kotlikoff Recent Episodes Naill Ferguson, the Preeminent Economic Historian, Talks Geopolitics -- Yesterday's, Today's, and Tomorrow's Aug 10 • Larry Kotlikoff Jack Schibli of Lane Generational Explains Why the Stock Market Runs Largely on Autopilot and the Equity-Investing Danger this Presents Aug 2 • Larry Kotlikoff The Brilliant and Captivating Justin Wolfers Talks Economics and the Economy Jul 31 • Larry Kotlikoff Economics Matter's First Substack Live! Talking Social Security's Extreme Insolvency with Pam Krueger, Founder and CEO of Wealthramp, and… Jul 29 • Larry Kotlikoff Brilliant Investing Requires Thinking and Looking Outside the Box -- Steve Laffey Is an Extraordinary Investor. This is a Podcast You Can't… Jul 23 Economist John Goodman, Father of HSAs and One of America's Most Influential Policymakers, Talks US Healthcare Reform Jul 16 • Larry Kotlikoff Bruce Mehlman Joins Economics Matters to Discuss the Long-Term Economic Impact of the War in Iran, Geopolitics, Economic History, and His… Jul 2 • Larry Kotlikoff Sebastian Mallaby Returns to Discuss AI and his Latest Bestseller: The Infinity Machine. Jun 25 • Larry Kotlikoff