CERN's Large Hadron Collider completes its third run, begins upgrade to High-Luminosity LHC.

The Large Hadron Collider (LHC) at CERN has concluded its third operational run, marking the start of its third Long Shutdown (LS3). This ambitious upgrade program will transform the LHC into the High-Luminosity LHC (HL-LHC), aiming to significantly increase collision rates for future particle physics experiments.

Context

The Large Hadron Collider, the world's largest and most powerful particle accelerator, has been operational since 2008. Its previous runs have led to significant discoveries, including the Higgs boson in 2012. The transition to the High-Luminosity LHC is part of a long-term strategy to improve its performance and extend its research potential.

Why it matters

The completion of the LHC's third run is significant as it paves the way for enhanced research capabilities in particle physics. The upgrade to the High-Luminosity LHC aims to provide more data, which could lead to groundbreaking discoveries about fundamental particles and forces. This advancement may deepen our understanding of the universe and its origins.

Implications

The upgrade to the High-Luminosity LHC is expected to benefit the global scientific community by providing more opportunities for experimentation. Increased collision rates may lead to new findings that could reshape current theories in physics. Additionally, this project could influence funding and collaboration in particle physics research worldwide.

What to watch

During the Long Shutdown (LS3), which will last several years, the LHC will undergo extensive upgrades. Researchers will focus on enhancing the collider's luminosity, which is a measure of the collision rate of particles. Observers should monitor updates on the progress of the upgrades and any interim research activities at CERN.