Japan is progressing towards building the world’s next major particle collider, but physicists were hoping for more concrete plans. After years of delays, it is now merely planning to discuss funding options with other countries.
The Japanese government’s long-awaited announcement was made on 7 March.
“The first time I saw the statement I was somewhat disappointed,” says Daniel Jeans at Japan’s High Energy Accelerator Research Organization, KEK. “The language is not particularly positive, but on careful reading all the elements we want are there.”
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While the Japanese government said it wouldn’t commit to the US$8 billion construction, this announcement was the first to officially express an interest in the project. The government is seeking talks with other countries, who are anticipated to foot about half the bill.
Designs for the proposed International Linear Collider have been in development for more than two decades. By smashing electrons and their anti-matter counterparts, positrons, together at huge speeds, it will offer a more precise look at the building blocks of the universe.
The plan is that the collider will be able to produce Higgs bosons in large quantities. These particles are involved in giving other particles mass, but their properties remain elusive, so having a so-called Higgs factory will mean they can be studied more closely.
Compared with a circular collider, it is easier to upgrade a linear collider by lengthening the tunnel or improving the accelerating technology and to expand its use to different particles in the decades ahead.
Geoffrey Taylor, chair of the International Committee for Future Accelerators, says that though he was hoping the government would make a definite commitment, recent private meetings with members of parliament were encouraging.
He is hoping for more positive news in the coming months as Japan solidifies its priorities for major research facilities.
Research and development for the International Linear Collider far exceeds that of its competitors, but Japan’s years of delays may embolden competitors such as China and Europe’s CERN to develop a stronger case for funding their projects instead.
