Evaluating the Necessity of the Future Circular Collider
Written on
Chapter 1: Introduction to the Future Circular Collider
The proposition to develop the Future Circular Collider (FCC) has emerged as a potential successor to the Large Hadron Collider (LHC). This new particle accelerator is set to be tenfold larger than its predecessor and aims to further our understanding of fundamental physics.
In the comparison image above, you can see the Future Circular Collider's size relative to the Large Hadron Collider's ring, which is depicted in the lower left corner. Source: vox.com
While the vision of this ambitious project is intriguing, I harbor significant reservations.
Section 1.1: The Need for Clarity in Scientific Projects
Every substantial scientific initiative, particularly one of this scale, should possess a clearly defined objective. For instance, the LHC was constructed with the explicit goal of discovering the Higgs boson, a milestone that indeed transformed our understanding of particle physics.
Yet, apart from this landmark discovery, the LHC has not yielded any findings of comparable significance, such as evidence of phenomena beyond the standard model or dark matter. The sole major breakthrough attributed to the LHC remains the Higgs boson itself.
The image illustrates the birth of the Higgs boson through proton collisions. Source: wikipedia.org
The designers of the FCC propose an investment of $23 billion for a collider that is ten times larger. However, this begs the question: what will be the specific outcomes of this project?
Subsection 1.1.1: Concerns Regarding the FCC's Objectives
The primary critique of the FCC is its vague promises. Proponents claim the new collider will enable the observation of physical phenomena beyond the standard model. Nonetheless, the very existence of such phenomena is highly debatable. If these effects are indeed detectable, it would be a significant achievement; however, if not, that would represent a colossal financial misallocation.
The accompanying image depicts the Standard Model framework. Source: symmetrymagazine.org
The reality is that $23 billion represents a substantial investment. These funds could be directed toward numerous other valuable research initiatives, which are likely to yield tangible and beneficial results. The old adage suggests that it is wiser to hold onto a sure thing than to chase uncertain prospects.
The image illustrates the potential allocation of funds for various scientific research endeavors. Source: universetoday.com
In an ideal scenario, where budgetary constraints do not exist, the idea of constructing such a collider would be appealing. Certainly, valuable insights could emerge from such a project.
Section 1.2: Rational Spending in the Current Scientific Landscape
However, considering our current economic climate, it is far more prudent to invest in projects with clearly defined objectives and robust scientific justification. Allocating funds toward endeavors that promise concrete outcomes is preferable to risking vast sums in the pursuit of speculative theories, especially when the stakes are so high.
Chapter 2: Further Exploration and Community Engagement
The first video, "Upgrading the Particle Physics Toolkit: The Future Circular Collider," features insights from Harry Cliff and John Womersley, discussing the potential advancements in particle physics through the FCC.
The second video, "Should we build a bigger particle collider?" from Sixty Symbols, explores the implications and considerations surrounding the construction of larger colliders.
If you're interested in more discussions about space and science, feel free to subscribe to our channel and leave your questions for future articles. Supporting our work through a membership on Medium for just $5 a month would greatly help us in creating even more engaging content.