CERN put forward plan collider 3 times bigger than LHC

The project's £12 billion price tag, aimed at covering the initial construction phase, would be publicly funded from CERN's its 23 Member States and Associate Member States member states. Although the LHC lead to the monument discovery of the Higgs Boson particle in 2012, it faces limitations in detecting dark matter and dark energy.

The LHC works by accelerating the inside of atoms (hadrons) both clockwise and anticlockwise to speeds close to the speed of light and at certain points crashes them together harder than any other atom-smasher in the world can. The smaller, sub-atomic particles left over from the collisions help scientists work out what atoms are made of and how they interact with each other.

CERN's Director General, Professor Fabiola Gianotti, describes the FCC as an "exquisite apparatus" crucial for pushing the boundaries of our fundamental understanding of physics.

Planned in two stages, the FCC will first focus on colliding electrons and later use advanced magnets to collide heavier protons, with the goal of discovering new particles. Spanning a circumference of 91km; the LHC is 27km in circumference. 

However, the proposal has faced criticism, with some advocating for more cost-effective research methods, such as linear colliders. The ultimate decision on the FCC's future will be a significant determinant in the direction of particle physics research, weighing scientific ambition against broader societal and financial concerns. Prof Aidan Robson of Glasgow University has, however, pointed out the benefits of alternative approaches, like linear colliders, which could offer a more economical and adaptable solution to exploring the universe's secrets.

The cost of the inistial construction of the LHC was also substantial, initially estimated at around €3 billion, but significantly exceeded this figure. Funding the LHC was a major commitment for CERN's member states, leading to debates over the prioritisation of scientific research funding, especially in the context of broader economic challenges and competing needs within member countries.

CERN is currently consulting with its member states to assess support for the FCC proposal. This consultation detemines whether the project moves forward, reflecting a collective decision on the trajectory of particle physics research.