The recent proposal for a new, larger supercollider by researchers at the world’s biggest particle accelerator in Switzerland has sparked excitement and debate within the scientific community. This ambitious project aims to discover new particles that could revolutionize physics and provide a more complete understanding of the Universe. However, the staggering £17bn price tag and questions about its economic feasibility have raised concerns and skepticism.
If approved, the Future Circular Collider (FCC) would be three times larger than the current Large Hadron Collider (LHC), which achieved a significant breakthrough with the detection of the Higgs Boson particle in 2012. While the LHC has not yet been able to find particles that explain 95% of the cosmos, such as dark energy and dark matter, some researchers argue that there are more cost-effective alternatives. Critics, including Dr Sabine Hossenfelder from the Frankfurt Institute of Advanced Studies, question the guarantee of success for the new collider.
The proposal outlines a two-phase plan for the FCC, with the first phase colliding electrons in the mid-2040s to study the Higgs particles in detail. The second phase, starting in the 2070s, will require more advanced magnets and the use of heavier protons to investigate new particles. The FCC will have a circumference of 91km, nearly three times that of the LHC, and will be twice as deep to shield from radiation.
Supporters of the FCC, including Cern’s director general Professor Fabiola Gianotti, argue that a larger instrument is necessary to address fundamental questions about the Universe. The discovery of dark particles would lead to a breakthrough in understanding the workings of the Universe and provide a more complete theory. However, there is a division among particle physicists regarding the best approach, with some advocating for a cheaper linear collider.
Beyond the scientific considerations, the price tag of the FCC has raised concerns about economic feasibility and prioritization of funding. Prof Sir David King, a former UK government chief scientific advisor, questions the wisdom of investing £17bn in this project while facing the urgent threat of climate change. Critics argue that a significant reduction in the scale and funding of particle physics research is necessary.
The proposal by Cern is currently undergoing evaluation by its 70 member nations, who will ultimately decide whether to fund the new supercollider. The decision will not only have implications for the scientific community but also for allocating resources in the face of global challenges. As the debate continues, scientists and policymakers must carefully consider the potential impact and economic implications of this ambitious project.
