The approaching revolution in particle physics

[UM-Bot]

An approaching revolution in the understanding of the most basic physical laws governing the Universe will bring some 600 physicists and engineers to an intensive two-week workshop in Snowmass, Colorado, US from 14 to 27 August.

The global particle physics community has proposed designing and building a new particle accelerator, the International Linear Collider (ILC).

View: Full Article | Source: CORDIS News

[STIX]

They don't say much about the nature of this 'revolution'... just the means of achieving it.

[leadbelly]

If I recall, the ILC is linear because they will be colliding electrons.

That's tricky with ring-type accelerator, because electrons don't negotiate

curves too easily. The LHC is a whopping 20 or thirty milles long, but circular, and it has several dectectors of different types along the ring. The LHC will be smashing heavy lead nuclei- protons.

They are really sounding PR optimistic. They will not get all they want, of course, and will demand an even larger set of colliders in another 15 years. In the meantime, they will produce some great effects, like possible miniature black holes, along with thousands of exotic short-lived particles.

The end goal is to heat up quarks, to see if they can find the ultimate transition particle- Higgs-Boson. Surprises will be in store over the next several years.

They have to work fast, because these devices wear out in a few years, and then require money for an overhaul.

Edited August 12, 2005 by leadbelly