The cover graphic of the recent P5 report beautifully illustrates the intersection of quantum discoveries and hidden universe observations, leading to groundbreaking new physics. Courtesy of the American Physical Society, this report, dated December 11, 2023, marks a pivotal moment in the future direction of high-energy physics research.
Chaired by Hitoshi Murayama, a renowned theoretician from the University of California, Berkeley, the Particle Physics Project Prioritization Panel (P5) has unveiled its final recommendations on how the U.S. should allocate its high-energy physics research funds for the next decade and beyond. The focus areas include neutrinos, dark matter, and the cosmic microwave background.
The Panel’s Mission and Fiscal Responsibility
Approved by the High Energy Physics Advisory Panel (HEPAP) on December 8, the P5 report will guide the Department of Energy (DOE) and the National Science Foundation (NSF) in their funding decisions. With a budget likely capped at $5 billion over ten years, the 31-member panel had to make tough choices, combining or reconfiguring many proposed projects and turning down approximately two-thirds of them. “Fiscal responsibility has been a big thing on our mind,” said Murayama, emphasizing the importance of realistic and actionable recommendations.
The Five Recommended Projects
Cosmic Microwave Background Stage IV (CMB-S4): Utilizing telescopes in Chile and Antarctica, supported by U.S. infrastructure at the South Pole, this project aims to study the oldest light in the universe. By analyzing the polarization of the CMB, cosmologists hope to uncover details about the gravitational waves generated during the early universe’s inflationary period.
Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment (DUNE): Enhancements to DUNE, located in South Dakota, are central to revealing neutrino mysteries. This international project, hosted by the U.S., will leverage the Sanford Underground Research Laboratory and neutrino beams from Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory in Illinois.
Higgs Boson Factory: Planned for either Europe or Japan, this accelerator would produce ample Higgs bosons, allowing precise measurements of the particle’s properties. Understanding the Higgs boson, discovered in 2012, could illuminate its role in the universe and its potential connection to dark matter.
Generation 3 (G3) Dark Matter Experiment: This comprehensive program will merge four international experiments, including the LZ experiment led by Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, to probe the enigmatic nature of dark matter. The panel recommends this experiment be built in the U.S.
IceCube-Gen2 Neutrino Observatory Expansion: Expanding the current IceCube observatory at the South Pole, this project aims to increase sensitivity to neutrinos by a factor of 10. The observatory, operated by the University of Wisconsin–Madison, will delve deeper into neutrino sources within and beyond our galaxy.
Future Prospects: Muon Collider and Small-Scale Projects
The P5 panel also recommended investment in a future muon collider. Unlike current accelerators that use electrons or protons, a muon collider would accelerate heavier muons, potentially exploring new physics frontiers with less energy input. Fermilab is proposed as a suitable site for a demonstration collider to test this innovative technology.
Additionally, the panel urged DOE to establish a fund to support small-scale projects, similar to NSF’s existing framework. This initiative would foster innovation and support emerging researchers in the field.
International Research Conference on High Energy Physics and Computational Science
No comments:
Post a Comment