Gigantic LHC successor:Private individuals pledge money for particle accelerator
CERN is soon to decide on the construction of a gigantic successor to the LHC. Several billionaires have now pledged money for it.
The planned path of the FCC.
(Image: CERN)
Through foundations and directly, several IT and internet billionaires have pledged almost one billion euros to the European nuclear research center for the construction of an even larger successor to the world's largest particle accelerator. CERN announced this today, stating that the 860 million euros were pledged by the foundation of former Google CEO Eric Schmidt, French internet billionaire Xavier Niel, Italian entrepreneur John Elkann, and the Breakthrough Prize Foundation. The latter received its money from, among others, Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg and Google founder Sergey Brin. However, the money would not be nearly enough for the construction of the Future Circular Collider (FCC); the costs for the first project phase are estimated at 16 billion euros.
“Substantial benefits for society”
For the nuclear research center, the funding pledges represent a novelty, explains CERN Director-General Fabiola Gianotti. The money is essential for its realization and thus also for future generations to be able to push the boundaries of scientific discoveries and technology. The plan envisions a ring-shaped particle accelerator in a 91 km long tunnel 200 m below ground, while the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) is 27 km long. This is intended to answer questions about particle physics and improve our understanding of it. At the same time, the construction and operation would promote numerous innovations in various fields and bring “substantial benefits for society,” CERN assures.
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The concept for an LHC successor was presented six years ago. Particles accelerated in the device could reach an energy of up to 100 TeV (tera-electronvolts), significantly more than the 13.6 TeV of the third run at the LHC. In the spring, CERN presented a feasibility study and assures that the mammoth project is fundamentally feasible. A decision by the European funders of the research institution is expected “around 2028,” and the Future Circular Collider could begin its work in the 2040s. The participation of private individuals in the enormous costs could make it easier for CERN member states to pledge money themselves.
(mho)
