In recent news, the Large Hadron Collider (LHC), has undergone upgrades to increase its precision and sensitivity for the data collection due to start in May 2023. This monumental piece of machine operated by CERN (European Organisation for Nuclear Research) plays a pivotal role in our understanding of particle physics and the universe at large.
About Large Hadron Collider
The LHC is essentially a colossal science experiment designed to collide two beams of particles at high energies for the study of physics. It holds the title as the most massive science experiment globally and is situated on the Franco-Swiss border near Geneva, Switzerland. The LHC consists of a circular pipe, 27 km long, home to two D-shaped magnetic fields created by nearly 9,600 magnets.
What is a Hadron?
A Hadron is classified as any member of a group of subatomic particles built from quarks. They react through the agency of the strong force. The hadrons include mesons, baryons, such as protons, neutrons, and sigma particles, along with their many resonances.
Working Mechanism of the LHC
The working mechanism of LHC involves the acceleration of protons, subatomic particles consisting of quarks and gluons, inside it using the magnets. These are identified as subatomic particles constituting protons and neutrons. Of note, quarks come in six different “flavors”: up, down, charm, strange, top, and bottom. Gluons are particles known to “glue” quarks together inside protons and neutrons via the strong nuclear force. Notably, protons are not the only particles being accelerated in the LHC. By rapidly switching the direction of the magnetic field, protons can be propelled through the beam pipe. Additional components aid in focusing the particles and keep them from colliding with the pipe’s walls. Ultimately, the protons reach 99.999999% of the speed of light.
Significance of LHC
The LHC has a profound significance in the scientific community. At such high energies, it can create conditions that existed fractions of a second after the Big Bang. Detectors placed along the beam pipe are used by scientists to observe the interactions of the accelerated particles, offering new insights into the nature of matter and the universe. It discovered the Higgs boson in 2012, a particle responsible for giving other particles mass. Besides, the LHC also plays a critical role in testing theories in particle physics such as supersymmetry and extra dimensions.
Understanding Supersymmetry and Extra Dimensions
Supersymmetry proposes that every known particle in the universe has a not-yet-discovered “superpartner” particle, having opposite spin and different quantum numbers. This suggests that every particle in the universe has a partner yet to be observed and could solve some problems with the current standard model of particle physics. On a separate note, extra dimensions suggest that the universe has more than our familiar three dimensions of space and one dimension of time. Certain gravity theories, like string theory, propose the presence of additional dimensions that are “curled up” or compactified, and are too small to be detected by our current experiments.
Challenges associated with LHC
Despite the phenomenal capabilities of the LHC, there are numerous technical hurdles faced by the researchers, such as maintaining the stability of magnets and avoiding collisions between particles and the pipe’s walls. Handling and processing the enormous amounts of data generated by the LHC needs advanced computing and storage systems. The coordination among thousands of scientists from various countries and institutions is also a paramount challenge.
Future of LHC
The LHC has disproved some theories aimed at explaining the limitations of the Standard Model, casting uncertainty in the physics community. To move forward, the scientific community is considering upgrading the LHC to increase its luminosity or building a larger and costlier version in hopes of finding new physics. However, it is to be questioned whether the funds for these undertakings would yield more assured results if spent on less-expensive experiments.