Professor Mark Thomson is set to take the reins as director general of CERN, the renowned nuclear physics laboratory on the outskirts of Geneva, with a unique twist: he'll shut down the Large Hadron Collider for five years while it undergoes major upgrades.
As one of the world's most celebrated scientists, Thomson will oversee the installation of powerful new superconducting magnets to squeeze the collider's proton beams and make them brighter. This upgrade, known as the high-luminosity LHC, promises to raise the number of collisions tenfold and significantly improve the detectors' ability to capture subtle signs of new physics.
While some might view Thomson's decision to shut down the machine for an extended period as a step backward, he sees it as a necessary evil. "The machine is running brilliantly and we're recording huge amounts of data," he says. "There's going to be plenty to analyse over the period." The upgrades will enable more precise measurements of particles and their interactions, which could reveal fresh insights into fundamental theories.
However, Thomson's tenure will also be marked by a far more ambitious project: the Future Circular Collider (FCC). A colossal machine proposed for completion in the late 2040s, the FCC would be over three times the size of the LHC. While it promises to revolutionize particle physics research, concerns surrounding its feasibility and cost have sparked debate.
Critics argue that the FCC faces significant engineering challenges, as well as questions about whether it's the best machine for making new discoveries. The project is estimated to cost around $15 billion, with CERN member states unable to foot the entire bill. Whether the FCC will become the crown jewel of CERN research remains uncertain.
Thomson acknowledges that there are risks involved, but his dedication to advancing our understanding of the universe drives him forward. "We've not got to the point where we have stopped making discoveries and the FCC is the natural progression," he says. "Our goal is to understand the universe at its most fundamental level... And this is absolutely not the time to give up."
In an age of intense global competition in particle physics research, CERN's future hangs precariously in the balance. Will Thomson's vision for a brighter, more luminous future prevail, or will the challenges facing the organization prove insurmountable? Only time will tell.
As one of the world's most celebrated scientists, Thomson will oversee the installation of powerful new superconducting magnets to squeeze the collider's proton beams and make them brighter. This upgrade, known as the high-luminosity LHC, promises to raise the number of collisions tenfold and significantly improve the detectors' ability to capture subtle signs of new physics.
While some might view Thomson's decision to shut down the machine for an extended period as a step backward, he sees it as a necessary evil. "The machine is running brilliantly and we're recording huge amounts of data," he says. "There's going to be plenty to analyse over the period." The upgrades will enable more precise measurements of particles and their interactions, which could reveal fresh insights into fundamental theories.
However, Thomson's tenure will also be marked by a far more ambitious project: the Future Circular Collider (FCC). A colossal machine proposed for completion in the late 2040s, the FCC would be over three times the size of the LHC. While it promises to revolutionize particle physics research, concerns surrounding its feasibility and cost have sparked debate.
Critics argue that the FCC faces significant engineering challenges, as well as questions about whether it's the best machine for making new discoveries. The project is estimated to cost around $15 billion, with CERN member states unable to foot the entire bill. Whether the FCC will become the crown jewel of CERN research remains uncertain.
Thomson acknowledges that there are risks involved, but his dedication to advancing our understanding of the universe drives him forward. "We've not got to the point where we have stopped making discoveries and the FCC is the natural progression," he says. "Our goal is to understand the universe at its most fundamental level... And this is absolutely not the time to give up."
In an age of intense global competition in particle physics research, CERN's future hangs precariously in the balance. Will Thomson's vision for a brighter, more luminous future prevail, or will the challenges facing the organization prove insurmountable? Only time will tell.
I think its a bit scary that they're shutting down the LHC for like 5 years but at the same time its gonna get so much more powerful afterwards 
. What if they mess up the upgrade and it takes even longer to fix? 
And $15 billion is just crazy 
, how are they gonna make that work? But on the other hand, Thomson seems super confident in his vision for the FCC, like he's got a plan B or something 
. Still, I'm curious to see what happens when the LHC comes back online - will it still be able to deliver those crazy insights into new physics? 
about this news! Mark Thomson is taking over as director general of CERN and shutting down the LHC for 5 years to upgrade it. I mean, think about it, we're talking about a machine that's gonna make 10x more collisions than before 
! It's gonna be like a whole new world of physics discoveries waiting to happen 
. And yeah, I know some people are worried about the FCC project, but come on, $15 billion isn't too much for unlocking the secrets of the universe 
. Thomson's got this and he's all about pushing the boundaries of human knowledge 
. Can you imagine what we'll discover with this new setup? Mind blown 
.
and making the most of what we have. shutting it down for 5 yrs might seem harsh, but think of it like a deep clean for my old laptop 
– gotta get rid of the junk to make way for new tech 
.
. Those new superconducting magnets are gonna make all the difference in terms of collision power and detection capabilities 
! The potential for groundbreaking discoveries is huge, but I'm a bit worried about those engineering challenges 
. Can't wait to see what the future holds for CERN and particle physics research in general 
!
. Five years with nothing to do is just a waste of resources in my opinion 
.
. And what about the high-luminosity LHC, is that even a real thing? Sounds like marketing jargon to me 
.
. I mean, I'm all for advancing particle physics research, but come on, can't we be a bit more realistic about what we're trying to achieve here?
, but I've got my doubts 
i mean some ppl might think its a step backward but prof mark thomson is like "nope im makin moves" 
and then theres the future circular collider (fcc) which is like a whole new level of crazy 
. And with the FCC, it's not about giving up, but about progressing forward. We gotta trust in Thomson's vision and believe that it'll lead us to new discoveries 
. The universe is full of mysteries, and I'm sure we'll figure them out eventually 
.
. With so much at stake and the global competition in particle physics research heating up, it's gonna be a wild ride 
. Can't wait to see what happens next! 
. Can't these people prioritize something that affects everyday life instead of just their physics experiments? 
. CERN needs to focus on making research more accessible and user-friendly before they start planning another massive project 
! Can't wait to see what he has in store for us 
. What do you think – should we be betting on the LHC upgrade or holding out for a better future?
those upgrades are gonna make the colliders proton beams so much brighter!! 
and yeah i know some ppl think its a step backward but mark thomson knows what he's doing!!! 
he's all about advancing our understanding of the universe and i am HERE. FOR. IT!!! 
. Can we please just focus on making progress instead of arguing about whether it's worth it? 
]
. Shutting down the LHC for five years might seem like a backward step at first glance 
. The high-luminosity LHC promises to revolutionize particle physics research, and I'm excited to see what insights we'll gain from it 
. With an estimated cost of $15 billion 
. While Thomson's dedication to advancing our understanding of the universe is admirable, I think it's essential to be cautious and consider alternative approaches 
. Will Prof Thomson's vision prevail, or will the organization face insurmountable hurdles? Only time (and further analysis) will tell