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CERN Unveils Xi-cc-plus: 80th Hadrons Discovery Breakthrough

3/19/2026

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Summary

Story summary

CERN announced the Xi-cc-plus discovery, the 80th hadron identified by the Large Hadron Collider, resolving a 20-year-old question.
The Xi-cc-plus is four times heavier than a proton and contains two charm quarks and one down quark.
Its lifetime is predicted to be six times shorter than similar particles.
The discovery used the upgraded Large Hadron Collider beauty (LHCb) detector.
LHC upgrades are planned by 2030 to boost collision capacity.

History

Historical Context

The top quark, predicted in 1973 and discovered in 1995 at Fermilab, was the last of the six quarks in the Standard Model of particle physics. Its discovery, involving over 1,000 scientists and a budget exceeding $100 million, marked a significant milestone in understanding matter. The recent Xi-cc-plus discovery by CERN highlights ongoing advancements in particle physics and the quest to unravel the universe's fundamental components.

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Story summary

CERN announced the Xi-cc-plus discovery, the 80th hadron identified by the Large Hadron Collider, resolving a 20-year-old question.
The Xi-cc-plus is four times heavier than a proton and contains two charm quarks and one down quark.
Its lifetime is predicted to be six times shorter than similar particles.
The discovery used the upgraded Large Hadron Collider beauty (LHCb) detector.
LHC upgrades are planned by 2030 to boost collision capacity.

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