Future Master’s Student at VU Faculty of Physics: “CERN Has Become an Important Part of My Academic Journey”

Margarita Biveinytė, a graduate of Vilnius University’s (VU) Bachelor’s programme in High-Tech Physics and Business, has just returned from a summer internship in Geneva at the European Organisation for Nuclear Research – CERN. This was her fourth visit and second internship at the world’s largest nuclear and particle physics laboratory.

This time, the visit was special – for the first time, she directly contributed to one of the four main experiments at CERN’s LHC (Large Hadron Collider). Dr Mindaugas Šarpis, a researcher at the Institute of Photonics and Nanotechnology of the VU Faculty of Physics and head of the CERN “LHCb Vilnius” group, is pleased that this internship is one of the examples how, with VU accepted as a new institute for this experiment, talented students now have the opportunity to be directly involved in CERN activities and to acquire top-level competences.

The young researcher worked in the VELO (Vertex Locator) detector group of the CERN LHCb (Large Hadron Collider beauty) experiment for several months. According to Margarita, the VELO detector in the LHCb experiment precisely records particle trajectories – its sensors are located just a few millimetres from the point where protons collide.

An invaluable experience for professional and personal growth

“The summer internship in the CERN LHCb VELO R&D (Research and Development) group, specifically focused on the scientific research and experimental development of silicon-based particle detectors, was truly an interesting and meaningful experience for me,” she says with satisfaction, adding that each time at CERN, she discovers something new.

According to the physicist, this experience gave her a special sense of responsibility and pride, and deepened her understanding of how fundamental research aligns with technological advancement. “Working in this group means not only delving into the most advanced detector technologies, but also being in constant dialogue between theory, engineering, and experiment. Most impressive was that, even as an intern, I felt like an equal team member – my observations, analysis results, and proposed hypotheses were heard and valued. Such an environment encouraged me to learn, grow, and set high standards for myself,” says the student.

Although Margarita’s work this summer involves silicon-based particle detectors, it differs from her previous experience at CERN, where she mainly investigated the effect of high-energy radiation on the electrical characteristics of these detectors.

“This work was more focused on electronics and experimental equipment aspects, which made it a new and interesting challenge for me. I had the opportunity to work on improving the detector element characterisation setup. Specifically, I carried out focusing and surface-scanning measurements for different silicon detector structures – from planar detector elements to new detector architectures such as LGAD and SiEM sensors – which are essential for ensuring the precise alignment of the laser beam with the sensor surface,” the physicist explains.

The young researcher emphasises that this method enables high-quality measurements of time resolution and charge collection efficiency, creating pixel maps, and contributes to a better understanding of sensor structures. “All of this data is essential for accurately assessing the properties of the sensors and their suitability for use in the upcoming LHCb VELO upgrade. This major upgrade will ensure even greater spatial and temporal resolution, improved radiation hardness, and higher data transfer rates. These improvements are necessary for the detector to operate effectively under the conditions of increased particle collision intensity,” notes Margarita.

This internship allowed the future Master’s student to better understand silicon sensors’ operating principles, contribute practically to an important project, and learn how to work with complex experimental equipment. “It was both a challenge and an invaluable experience for my professional and personal growth,” she reflects.

CERN has accompanied her since the second year of her Bachelor’s studies

“CERN has become an important part of my academic journey – both during my Bachelor’s studies and now, as I prepare for my Master’s degree. In my second year, I joined the Photoelectric Phenomena Research Group at the Institute of Photonics and Nanotechnology (IPN) of the VU Faculty of Physics. There, I began to delve into silicon detectors and research related to the CERN DRD3 Solid State Detectors programme, which is based on semiconductors – particularly silicon detectors – used in almost all particle physics experiments,” the physicist recounts.

One of the programme’s objectives is to determine the effects of high-energy radiation on the functional characteristics of particle detectors. According to the student, this experience was the starting point that opened the door for her to engage in international collaboration. Last year, she participated in the CERN Summer Student Programme, in which she was the only participant from Lithuania.

The young researcher emphasises that CERN is a place where the everyday becomes extraordinary. “Here mornings begin among powerful particle accelerators, where just a few meters away, phenomena unfold that recreate the very first moments of the Universe. We watch screens filled with data that could one day transform our understanding of the world. Between team meetings, experiments, and in-depth discussions with scientists from around the globe, discoveries are born – and it feels less like work and more like being part of a scientific revolution,” she says.

“This has been not only a professional but also a personal turning point – in the best sense of the word: I had the chance to live and work alongside world-class scientists and to become familiar with various CERN activities. This summer’s internship gave me the invaluable opportunity to present my research to the CERN community at two conferences and become a co-author of a scientific publication,” notes M. Biveinytė.

Although her experience at CERN opened up the possibility of continuing with a long-term internship this autumn, she has decided for now to focus on her Master’s studies at the VU Faculty of Physics and to continue working at the Institute of Photonics and Nanotechnology. “It is important for me to make the most of this period by deepening my knowledge and continuing research related to the characterisation of particle detectors. CERN is a place that shapes you not only as a scientist but also as a person. I believe this topic will continue to accompany me throughout my Master’s studies – both in conducting research and, perhaps, in developing scientific collaborations or even returning to CERN soon,” the physicist concludes.