Smashing Electrons: What Would Happen?

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the feasibility and implications of colliding electrons, particularly focusing on electron-positron and electron-electron collisions. The Large Electron-Positron Collider (LEP) is highlighted as the largest electron-positron collider, allowing for cleaner particle physics experiments compared to proton-proton colliders due to the elementary nature of the colliding particles. However, electron-electron collisions are less interesting and require higher energy levels and separate beam pipes, making them less practical. Fixed-target electron experiments serve as a low-energy alternative for studying electron-electron and electron-nucleus collisions.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of particle physics principles
  • Familiarity with electron-positron colliders, specifically the Large Electron-Positron Collider (LEP)
  • Knowledge of collision cross-sections and energy requirements
  • Basic concepts of linear accelerators and beam pipe configurations
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the operational principles of the Large Electron-Positron Collider (LEP)
  • Explore the differences between electron-positron and proton-proton collisions
  • Study the mechanics of fixed-target electron experiments
  • Investigate the design and functionality of linear accelerators in particle physics
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Particle physicists, researchers in high-energy physics, and students interested in the dynamics of electron collisions and collider technology.

Mai Mariarti
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I have heard of many experiments dealing with smashing protons or neutrons, but I've never heard of smashing electrons together!
What would be the result of such experiment?
 
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There are many electron-positron colliders. LEP was the largest one so far. You can do particle physics with it, in a much cleaner way than with proton-proton colliders as the colliding particles are elementary. The downside is the lower energy of the collisions.

There are no neutron colliders as you cannot accelerate neutrons in an accelerator. They can make secondary collisions, of course, if they are produced by other collisions.
 
Everyone knows the result of electron-positron collision. is electron-electron collision even possible?
 
Sure, but it does not give the interesting results electron-positron gives. All the cross-sections are much lower, the reactions need much higher energy and so on. You also need two separate beam pipes (or a linear accelerator).

Fixed-target electron experiments are some low-energetic version for electron-electron collision, together with some electron-nucleus collisions.
 

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