Top scientists at the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN) have released plans for a massive new atom smasher that could revolutionize research into the fundamental forces of nature. The Future Circular Collider (FCC), set to be built along the French-Swiss border, will be more than 90 kilometers long and 200 meters deep.
The FCC is designed to study “known physics” in greater detail before moving on to high-energy collisions that could reveal new insights into the universe’s mysteries. The project has been years in the making, with scientists considering over 100 possible scenarios before settling on a design.
CERN officials say the collider promises to drive innovation in fields like cryogenics and superconducting magnets, which could have real-world benefits for humanity. Meanwhile, independent experts are hailing the potential to unlock new secrets about the Higgs boson, a particle that played a key role in confirming the existence of the universe’s fundamental forces.
The project is expected to cost around $16 billion and will be funded by CERN member countries, including all European nations except Israel. The US has pledged support for the project, but its contribution may depend on future funding decisions.
CERN Director-General Fabiola Gianotti says the collider could become one of humanity’s most extraordinary scientific instruments, capable of probing the fundamental laws of nature in two groundbreaking ways.
Source: https://apnews.com/article/cern-future-circular-collider-switzerland-france-physics-2eb0b838b11940b3ab70d0a872ca4fdd