European CERN laboratory says a major particle collider project is on track, but warns that lack of funding could allow China to surpass Europe as physics leader in high-energy particle physics.
CERN chief Fabiola Gianotti stated that “there is real competition” from China, which will threaten Europe’s leadership if the FCC project does not proceed. The giant collider project is currently on the right track, according to Gianotti, but it requires a green light for financing to avoid loss of scientific leadership.
A feasibility study by CERN has revealed no technical obstacles to building the 91-km circular tunnel, which would be more than three times longer than its current Large Hadron Collider. The project’s budget is estimated at $17 billion, with an average depth of 200 meters and a tunnel straddling the French-Swiss border.
Gianotti urged states to release the funding needed for the FCC project, warning that failure to do so could lead to China surpassing Europe as the world’s physics leader.
Source: https://www.scmp.com/news/china/science/article/3304640/without-giant-particle-collider-europe-could-cede-physics-leadership-china-cern-chief