Is CERN's $40 Billion Mega-Collider Already Doomed?

Summary

The Future Circular Collider (FCC) is a proposed massive particle collider by CERN that could revolutionize physics by studying the Higgs boson and other particles. However, its colossal costs, ecological impact, and uncertain scientific returns have raised concerns. Critics, including prominent physicists, argue that smaller projects and alternative colliders, such as the linear muon collider or China’s Super Proton-Proton Collider, could provide more efficient solutions. The FCC’s financial viability is in doubt, with funding challenges and competition from international projects, making its future uncertain. The debate highlights the need for more pragmatic and timely approaches to advancing particle physics.

Takeaways

• 😀 CERN plans to build the Future Circular Collider (FCC), a larger particle collider than the current Large Hadron Collider (LHC).
• 😀 The FCC would be a two-phase project: FCC-ee for electron collisions to study the Higgs boson, and FCC-hh for proton collisions at much higher energy levels than the LHC.
• 😀 The total cost of the FCC is estimated to exceed 40 billion dollars, with operations not expected to start until the mid-2070s.
• 😀 The FCC could lead to more precise measurements of the Higgs boson and other known particles, but it is unlikely to discover anything new, as no open problems in the standard model require this energy range.
• 😀 Some physicists are concerned that the FCC could waste resources and stall progress in the foundations of physics for decades.
• 😀 Others, including Halina Abramowicz and Olivier Cepas, argue that the enormous costs and environmental impacts of the FCC could hinder other scientific advancements.
• 😀 There are concerns that CERN's annual funding is insufficient to finance the FCC, and it's unclear where the additional 5 billion Euros will come from.
• 😀 The FCC faces financial challenges, with some countries, like Germany, hesitant to contribute due to their own expensive collider projects.
• 😀 Many early-career physicists are more excited about a smaller, cheaper linear muon collider, which could be developed more quickly and potentially offer a new engineering challenge.
• 😀 China is planning a collider similar to the FCC but at a fraction of the cost and a much faster timeline, potentially making the FCC obsolete before completion.
• 😀 If China moves forward with its collider plan, it may surpass the FCC in capability, leaving CERN to focus on alternatives like the muon collider.

Q & A

What is the Future Circular Collider (FCC) and what are its primary goals?

The Future Circular Collider (FCC) is an ambitious project by CERN to build a particle collider with a circumference of about 91 kilometers. Its primary goal is to measure properties of the Higgs boson and explore other aspects of particle physics by colliding particles at much higher energies than the current Large Hadron Collider (LHC).

How does the FCC compare to the LHC in terms of energy?

The FCC would reach collision energies up to 85 TeV, which is about six times more than the current LHC. This increase in energy would allow for more precise measurements and the possibility of discovering new particles, although there are no current unresolved problems in the Standard Model that require this energy level.

Why are some physicists skeptical about the FCC's feasibility?

Some physicists are skeptical about the FCC due to its enormous cost—estimated to exceed $40 billion—and its lengthy timeline, with the project not expected to be completed until the 2070s. They argue that there are no pressing scientific questions in particle physics that justify such an investment and that the funds could be better used for other scientific endeavors.

What is the main criticism regarding the FCC's financial and ecological impact?

The main criticism is that the FCC could tie up enormous financial resources, possibly draining funds from other important scientific projects. Additionally, environmental concerns have been raised about the ecological footprint of such a massive project, with some scientists arguing that smaller, more focused projects would be more beneficial.

What alternative particle collider is gaining attention among physicists?

The linear muon collider is an alternative that is gaining attention. It is seen as a smaller, cheaper, and faster option compared to the FCC. Despite being new territory from an engineering perspective, it excites many physicists due to its potential to advance the field of particle physics.

How does the Chinese collider project compare to CERN's FCC?

The Chinese collider project is very similar to CERN’s FCC, with a comparable ring size and collision energy. However, the Chinese project is expected to be completed at less than half the cost and in 20 years less time. This has led to speculation that the Chinese collider may make the FCC obsolete before it is even completed.

What are the key advantages of the Chinese collider project over the FCC?

The Chinese collider project promises to be completed more quickly (20 years faster) and at a significantly lower cost (less than half the price of the FCC). These advantages make it a more attractive option, especially in light of the financial and political challenges facing the FCC.

What is the role of funding in the future of the FCC project?

The FCC project faces a major funding challenge. CERN’s current funding is insufficient, and member states would need to increase their contributions. However, there is still a $5 billion gap, and given the economic difficulties in the European Union, securing this funding will be difficult.

What do early career physicists think about the FCC and other collider options?

A survey of early career particle physicists revealed that they are more excited about alternative projects like the muon collider. This suggests that younger researchers are increasingly interested in exploring innovative and less costly alternatives to the FCC.

What does the speaker think about the future of the FCC?

The speaker believes that the FCC is unlikely to come to fruition, primarily due to financial and political challenges. They speculate that the Chinese collider project will proceed, and that a muon collider may be the next big advancement in particle physics, rather than the FCC.