An intense debate has arisen within the European particle physics community regarding the name for the proposed new particle accelerator, the FCC.
“Future Circular Collider sounds too much like something from the distant future, and therefore not so urgent,” says Nikhef physicist Tristan du Pree. “We think a name that makes it more concrete would be better. Also to gain support for the multi-billion-euro project.”
The naming issue has become urgent in the run-up to the next European strategy for particle physics, which is to be adopted in Budapest this May following years of preparation and discussion. Nikhef director Jorgen d’Hondt was a member of the preparatory committee.
The advisory report proposes a new, larger particle accelerator at CERN as the successor to the current LHC.
In the preparations, this future project – featuring a 91-kilometre underground accelerator ring in which electrons will race round at record energies – has been named the FCC. “But if we are to embrace the proposal, we must also demonstrate that,” says Du Pree.
He himself favours the name UCC, for ‘upcoming circular collider’, until its opening around 2045. Upon opening, CCC would then become the final designation, standing for ‘current circular collider’.
Du Pree: “I have been advocating for years for a more logical naming system for accelerators. Names that clearly reflect a machine’s historical position.” He also proposes giving the current LHC accelerator at CERN the name PCC after it closes, standing for past circular collider.
Martijn van Calmthout, Head of Communications at Nikhef, is sticking with FCC in communications for the time being, until decisions are made in Budapest. But he understands the discussion: “However, once FCC becomes a reality, we must call a spade a spade.”
In that case, Nikhef will instruct its staff to refer to the FCC by its new name and the LHC as the PCC. “It might be a bit tricky, but tomorrow today is simply yesterday.”
Personally, he favours the name f00l, one of the other names being bandied about in discussions regarding the LHC’s successor. Van Calmthout: “The name stands for ‘final rings of Lagrange’ and also makes for a wonderful logo: the O’s are the rings. From a communications perspective, those are great things.”
On 25 May, the CERN Council will meet in Budapest to discuss the proposed European particle physics strategy. It is not yet certain whether a decision will be made there regarding the construction of a new particle accelerator and its name.
Today, Nikhef is discussing the FCC naming issue at a special staff meeting. “I do expect some strong feelings,” says Du Pree. “These sorts of things are sensitive.”
