The Large Hadron Collider — LHC — near Geneva, Switzerland successfully went operational in 2009 after an initial attempt in 2008 resulted in catastrophic electrical problems and substantial damage to dozens of its expensive, superconducting helium-cooled magnets. Repairs were successful and recent trials have extended understanding subatomic particles. There is a strange irony in the use of a huge instrument — a 17 mile circular underground tunnel — to examine the smallest particles known to exist.
Trying to Make Sense of Particle Physics
Particle physics is not for the timid. Understanding the members of the “particle zoo” is pretty much impossible without knowledge of quantum physics and esoteric mathematics. Indeed, even particle physicists are often confounded by quantum theory and its implications.
Quantum mechanics deals with the world of the infinitesimally small like electrons, muons, quarks, and other invisible particles including bosons. Few people are truly able to mentally manipulate the concepts of particle physics with it special language — up and down quarks, fermions, gauge particles, the exclusion principal, etc.
Most people must be satisfied with fundamentals, and the fundamental issue with the Higgs boson is mass. That is, how or why does mass exist? It is not a question most people even consider, but the Higgs boson is the popular candidate among particle physicists for the existence of mass. It is named after Peter Higgs who theorized its existence in the mid-1960s.
The Higgs is the only one of a dozen particles not yet found. Its discovery would verify the Standard Model of particle physics, although other issues would remain, like the nature of dark matter and dark energy. Still, verification of the existence of the Higgs would be one of the most significant scientific discoveries of the past hundred years.
The LHC has Produced Lots of Data
The Higgs has not and will not be “seen” as one typically thinks of seeing. It is much too small and fleeting. Instead, physicists look for traces in data on computer screens that is generated by billions of collisions of particles smashing into each other at near-light speed in the LHC.
The data must then be computer-analyzed to see if the data fit a predicted model that would appear that would be unique to the properties of the Higgs. Announcements released in late 2011 seem to indicate good reason for optimism. Data “spikes” indicative of the illusive particle have been detected, but with so much data to analyze scientists working on the project are being careful to avoid premature optimism.
The experiments in two sections of the LHC will be repeated and the data reanalyzed to eliminate other possible explanations for what might be evidence of the Higgs. Excitement is high among particle physicists. "We indeed may have observed the first evidence of the Higgs particle…,” stated Professor Dr. Volker Büscher.
The results of the LHC experiments should be clear by spring of 2012 and one of the most fundamental pieces of research ever conducted might result in the announcement of the existence a little particle with a huge significance.
The search for the Higgs boson began five decades ago when it was first theorized by Peter Higgs and other particle physicists. The most important mission of the Large Hadron Collider near Geneva has been to confirm its existence. Confirmation would complete the Standard Theory of the atom and rate among the most important discoveries in science. The Higgs is thought to be responsible for the existence of mass.
Sources:
- “The Large Hadron Collider,” press.web.cern.ch. (Accessed January 10, 2012
- “What is the Higgs Boson,” guardian.co.uk. (Accessed January 11, 2012)
Harvey Craft - I am a retired educator with diverse experience. I read anything science, education, and history. I write to share what I learn.
