Officials at Cern, the European Organization for Nuclear Research, have submitted proposals for a new particle accelerator that would be at least three times larger than the existing Large Hadron Collider (LHC) located near Geneva, Switzerland. The LHC, operating inside a 27km circular tunnel, has made significant contributions to particle physics, including the discovery of the Higgs boson. However, the new machine, named the Future Circular Collider (FCC), aims to delve even deeper into the mysteries of the universe.
The proposed FCC, with an estimated cost of £17bn, has sparked discussions about the economic feasibility of such an ambitious project. Critics have described the expenditure as “reckless,” particularly considering the current economic climate. The initial construction cost of £12bn has raised eyebrows, as this funding would be sourced from member nations of CERN, including the UK. Some experts have expressed skepticism about the economic sense of such a substantial financial investment.
The realization of the supercollider is envisioned to lead to groundbreaking discoveries in physics, potentially uncovering new particles that could revolutionize our understanding of the universe. The current LHC has been unable to unveil more information about dark energy, but it is hoped that the FCC will help uncover the secrets of the 95% of the universe that remains largely unknown.
Should the FCC be given the green light, construction would be anticipated to commence in the 2040s. However, the hefty price tag and the ongoing debates surrounding its financial viability may prove to be formidable hurdles to overcome before this next-generation particle accelerator becomes a reality.
