Asik SyedCERN’s proposed Future Circular Collider (FCC) is poised to be the next groundbreaking leap in particle physics, building on the legacy of the Large Hadron Collider (LHC). Announced in 2025, this bold vision seeks to unlock the universe’s deepest mysteries while setting new records in scale, ambition, and scientific potential. With an estimated budget of $17 billion, the FCC stands to become one of the most significant scientific projects ever attempted.
Project Details of Future Circular Collider
Spanning a colossal 91 kilometers, the FCC will be located beneath the French-Swiss border. Its mission? To push particle acceleration beyond current boundaries.
The project will roll out in two major phases:
- Phase One: An electron-positron collider, targeting operational readiness by 2046.
- Phase Two: A proton-proton collider, slated to launch around 2070, which will take particle collisions to unprecedented energy levels.
🔬 The Science Behind the Vision
At its core, the FCC is designed to tackle some of physics’ most pressing questions:
- What exactly is dark matter?
- How does dark energy shape the cosmos?
- Are there particles even smaller or more fundamental than those we currently know?
To answer these, the collider aims to hit a staggering 100 trillion electronvolts (TeV) — over seven times more powerful than the LHC’s current capabilities.
⚙️ A Hub of Innovation
Driving the FCC forward is a suite of cutting-edge technologies, including:
- Next-gen superconducting magnets
- Ultra-precise cryogenics
- Advanced vacuum systems
These innovations won’t just fuel the collider—they could ripple out into other industries, revolutionizing fields like medical imaging, energy, and computing.
🌱 Sustainability & Scrutiny
CERN has pledged to conduct a thorough environmental assessment, bringing in independent experts before any final go-ahead. Member states are expected to make a decision in 2028.
Still, concerns persist: some critics argue that the enormous investment might be better spent on smaller-scale, distributed research efforts with more immediate societal benefits.
🔍 Building on the LHC Legacy
Since its start in 2008, the LHC has reshaped our understanding of the universe—most notably through the discovery of the Higgs boson. The FCC is the natural next step, aiming to expand that foundation and delve even deeper into the forces that govern our universe.
🌐 What Lies Ahead
The Future Circular Collider holds incredible promise—not just for physics, but for global innovation and collaboration. If approved and fully funded, it could redefine our grasp of reality and drive technological progress for decades.
Neha Baruah
