Hadron collider discoveries
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Discoveries at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC)
Introduction to the Large Hadron Collider (LHC)
The Large Hadron Collider (LHC) at CERN is the world's most powerful particle accelerator, designed to collide proton beams at unprecedented energy levels. It has been instrumental in exploring the Standard Model of particle physics and beyond . The LHC's design allows for proton-proton collisions with a center-of-mass energy of 14 TeV and heavy ion collisions at 2.8 TeV per nucleon.
Higgs Boson Discovery
One of the most significant achievements of the LHC was the discovery of the Higgs boson in 2012. This discovery confirmed the existence of the Higgs field, which gives mass to elementary particles, a cornerstone of the Standard Model. The Higgs boson discovery was a monumental step in particle physics, validating decades of theoretical work.
Supersymmetry and CP Violation
The LHC has also been pivotal in exploring other phenomena such as supersymmetry and CP violation. Supersymmetry, a theoretical framework that extends the Standard Model, predicts the existence of partner particles for all known particles. Although no supersymmetric particles have been discovered yet, the LHC continues to search for them . Additionally, the LHC investigates CP violation, which could explain the matter-antimatter asymmetry in the universe.
High-Luminosity LHC (HL-LHC)
To extend its discovery potential, the LHC is undergoing an upgrade to become the High-Luminosity LHC (HL-LHC). This upgrade aims to increase the luminosity by a factor of five and the integrated luminosity by a factor of ten, allowing for more collisions and higher precision measurements. The HL-LHC will employ advanced technologies such as superconducting magnets and compact superconducting cavities.
Future Circular Collider (FCC)
Looking beyond the LHC, the Future Circular Collider (FCC) is being designed to push the energy frontier even further. The FCC-hh, a hadron collider, aims to achieve a center-of-mass collision energy of 100 TeV, significantly extending the reach of particle physics research . This collider will explore new physics phenomena and offer direct sensitivity to potential discoveries beyond the Standard Model.
Black Holes and Quantum Gravity
The LHC has also set stringent limits on the existence of TeV-scale new physics phenomena, including models predicting the production of black holes. While no black holes have been observed, the LHC continues to explore these possibilities, especially with the planned energy increases in future operations.
Conclusion
The Large Hadron Collider has revolutionized our understanding of particle physics, from the discovery of the Higgs boson to ongoing searches for supersymmetry and CP violation. With the upcoming High-Luminosity LHC upgrade and future projects like the FCC, the potential for new discoveries remains vast. The LHC and its successors will continue to be at the forefront of exploring the fundamental nature of the universe.
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