Proposed Future Circular Collider: A New Era for Particle Physics at CERN

The particle accelerator currently operational at CERN, known as the Large Hadron Collider (LHC), is nearing the end of its lifespan, leading experts to propose a significant upgrade to the facility. A recent feasibility study reveals plans for a much larger particle accelerator that could replace the existing 27-kilometer ring with a new, enhanced version.

This ambitious project, dubbed the Future Circular Collider (FCC), would feature a 91-kilometer tunnel constructed approximately 200 meters underground. Initial estimates suggest that the first phase of the FCC could cost around 16 billion euros. The FCC aims to collide electrons and positrons, beginning in the 2040s, and promises to vastly outperform the capabilities of the LHC, which was instrumental in discovering the Higgs boson.

Furthermore, the report indicates that a proton collider could follow in later stages, marking a significant advancement in particle physics. Researchers involved in the study, commissioned by CERN and its global partners, have dedicated years to developing and analyzing around 100 scenarios related to this project.

Physicists hope that both the LHC and its potential successor will help unravel fundamental questions regarding the origins of the universe. The feasibility report is set to undergo evaluation by independent committees, with the CERN Council expected to deliberate on the findings in November of this year. A final decision regarding the construction of the FCC is anticipated around 2028.