What's Happening?
China has paused the development of the Circular Electron Positron Collider (CEPC), which was set to become the world's largest particle accelerator. The CEPC, planned to be 100 kilometers long, was expected to surpass the size of CERN's Large Hadron
Collider (LHC). The project, initiated in 2012, was not included in China's upcoming five-year plan for 2026-2030, indicating a deprioritization by the state. Wang Yifang from the Institute of High Energy Physics confirmed the project's exclusion from the plan, although there are intentions to resubmit the proposal in 2030. The estimated cost of the CEPC is around $5.1 billion, which may have influenced the decision to allocate resources elsewhere. If the European Future Circular Collider (FCC) is approved before 2030, Chinese physicists may collaborate with European teams on this next-generation collider.
Why It's Important?
The suspension of the CEPC project has significant implications for the global scientific community, particularly in the field of particle physics. Particle accelerators like the LHC have been instrumental in major discoveries, such as the Higgs boson, which have deepened our understanding of the universe's origins and fundamental particles. The CEPC was expected to advance this research further by enabling the study of heavier and different particles. The decision to halt the project may slow down progress in these areas and shift the focus to other international projects like the FCC. This could lead to a realignment of global scientific collaborations and funding priorities, potentially affecting the pace and direction of future discoveries in particle physics.
What's Next?
Looking ahead, the Chinese team plans to resubmit the CEPC proposal in 2030, hoping for inclusion in future national plans. Meanwhile, the European FCC project remains a potential avenue for collaboration. If approved, it could become the focal point for international efforts in particle physics research. The LHC is expected to be phased out by the 2040s, making the development of new collider systems crucial for continued advancements in the field. The decision by CERN Member States and international partners on the FCC will be pivotal in shaping the future landscape of particle physics research.
