Chapter 1: The Need for a Larger Collider

CERN's Large Hadron Collider (LHC) stands as the pinnacle of human engineering, enabling unprecedented exploration into the universe's fundamental workings. Yet, limitations exist with the 27-kilometer collider. In response, CERN has greenlit plans for a groundbreaking new facility known as the Future Circular Collider (FCC), which will boast a remarkable 100-kilometer (62-mile) circumference.

Physicists have long speculated about the universe's mysteries and the possibility of exotic particles. The most effective method to validate these theories is to collide protons at high velocities and analyze the results. This approach led to the LHC's historic discovery of the Higgs Boson in 2012. Generally, a more powerful collider leads to increased particle detection capabilities. The LHC achieved Higgs results using 13 125–126 GeV of energy, yet it can operate at 13 TeV—significantly more. While upgrades are ongoing to enhance the LHC's capabilities, the FCC is projected to far surpass it with an astonishing collision energy of 100 TeV.

When operational, the FCC will be able to produce Higgs bosons at will, facilitating a deeper understanding of their interactions with other forms of matter. Initially, the FCC will utilize electron-positron collisions, which are optimal for generating Higgs particles. Future upgrades will enable it to conduct proton-proton collisions, ultimately unlocking its full 100 TeV potential.

Explore the hidden truths about CERN's ongoing projects and the implications of the Future Circular Collider.

Planning for the LHC initiated in the early 1990s, with construction commencing in 1998. CERN leveraged an existing facility, which allowed for the LHC's realization within a pre-existing 27-kilometer tunnel designed for the Large Electron-Positron Collider in the 1980s. In contrast, the FCC will necessitate a completely new construction effort, requiring excavation of a 100-kilometer underground ring, which is not anticipated to begin until at least 2038. Consequently, we may not see the FCC contributing to scientific advancements until the mid-21st century.

This ambitious project could exceed $23 billion in costs, a figure beyond CERN's current funding capacity from its European partners. To realize this vision, CERN may need to collaborate with the US, China, or Japan. Nevertheless, the FCC holds promise to illuminate some of the most perplexing questions in physics, including the greater abundance of matter compared to antimatter and the nature of dark matter.

A critical look at the public statements made by prominent physicists regarding the Future Circular Collider's potential and challenges.

Chapter 2: The Journey Ahead

As we await the realization of the FCC, ongoing upgrades to the LHC and other projects continue to push the boundaries of particle physics.