The Belle II detector at SuperKEKB in Japan recorded its first e+e– collisions since the facility underwent a scheduled long shutdown on 20 February. The fully instrumented Belle II detector had its first collisions recorded in March 2019, with the primary goal of uncovering new phenomena through precise analysis of B mesons and other particles produced by the SuperKEKB accelerator.
During the shutdown, several enhancements were implemented to handle expected increases in luminosity and backgrounds from the beams, including a new vertex detector and an improved beam pipe at the collision point. Additional measures were also taken to improve radiation shielding and data collection performance.
The start of Run 2 in the Belle II control room on 20 February was marked by excitement and anticipation as researchers and scientists eagerly awaited the results of the first e+e– collisions since the facility’s shutdown. This milestone represents a major step forward for the Belle II experiment and the SuperKEKB accelerator, setting the stage for groundbreaking discoveries and advancements in the field of particle physics. The dedication and hard work of the teams involved in the upgrades and preparations for Run 2 have paid off, and the scientific community looks forward to the wealth of knowledge and insights that will be gained from
