Why LHC Higher Energy: Advantage in Higgs Search

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In summary, the advantage of the higher energy of the LHC for finding the Higgs boson is that at high energies, the energy carried by the colliding particles (partons) is what matters, and at the LHC a larger fraction of collisions will have enough energy to produce a Higgs compared to the Tevatron. This is further enhanced by the fact that the Higgs is most easily produced with other heavy particles. Additionally, the LHC accelerates and collides a slightly greater number of particles on average, with a peak instantaneous luminosity of 10^33/cm^2/s compared to the Tevatron's 4 x 10^32/cm^2/s. However, the Tevatron is limited
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phrygian
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What is the advantage of the higher energy of the LHC for finding the Higg's when Tevatron was already operating at an energy significantly higher than the predicted Higgs mass? Is it just that higher energy collisions will result in more particles, making data collection faster?
 
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  • #2
They made the LHC energy as high as could be handled in the existing tunnel. Surely you would not want to spend $6B and then realize the energy was a bit short! Anyway, finding the Higgs boson is not the only goal, we want to survey as much territory as we can for new physics.
 
  • #3
The advantage comes from the fact that proton are composite particles and at the high energies involved in the collisions what actually matters is the energy carried by the partons (quarks or gluons) that actually collide. This is generically quite a bit smaller than the total energy in the collision. So, at the LHC a significantly larger fraction of collisions should have enough energy to produce a Higgs than at the Tevatron. This effect is further pronounced by the fact that the Higgs is, by far, most readily produced in conjunction with other heavy particles.
 
  • #4
Does the LHC accelerate and collide a greater number of particles on average than the Tevatron?
 
  • #5
Slightly more. The peak instantaneous luminosity at the Tevatron was 4 x 1032/cm2/s. So far the LHC has achieved 1033/cm2/s, and its design luminosity is 1034.
 
  • #6
Slightly? Isn't that like ten times as much with a design of up to 100x more? (Is the LHC 1x10^33 or 4x10^33?) Or is my math wrong?
 
  • #7
Yes, because it's a proton-proton collider. The Tevatron is proton-antiproton, so you have to make antiprotons. That limits the collision rate.
 
  • #8
I see. Thanks!
 

1. Why is the LHC searching for a higher energy in the Higgs search?

The higher energy in the Higgs search allows for a better chance of producing the Higgs boson, which is a particle that helps explain the origin of mass in the universe. By searching at higher energies, scientists can probe deeper into the fabric of the universe and potentially discover new particles or phenomena that were previously hidden.

2. What is the advantage of using a higher energy in the Higgs search at the LHC?

The advantage of using a higher energy in the Higgs search is that it allows for a wider range of possible outcomes. At higher energies, heavier particles can be produced, giving scientists a better chance of discovering new particles or confirming the existence of the Higgs boson. This also allows for more precise measurements and a deeper understanding of the fundamental building blocks of the universe.

3. How does the higher energy at the LHC contribute to the search for the Higgs boson?

The higher energy at the LHC allows for a higher collision energy between particles, which increases the likelihood of producing the Higgs boson. This higher energy also allows for the production of heavier particles, which can decay into the Higgs boson, making it easier to detect. Additionally, the higher energy allows for more precise measurements, which can help confirm the existence of the Higgs boson.

4. Is there a limit to how high the energy can be in the Higgs search at the LHC?

There is a limit to how high the energy can be in the Higgs search at the LHC, as the machine has a maximum collision energy. The current maximum energy at the LHC is 13 TeV (tera-electron volts), and there are plans to increase this to 14 TeV in the future. However, there are also theoretical limits to the energy that can be achieved in particle colliders, which are determined by the laws of physics.

5. How does the higher energy at the LHC impact other areas of particle physics research?

The higher energy at the LHC not only contributes to the search for the Higgs boson, but it also allows for the exploration of other areas of particle physics. By colliding particles at higher energies, scientists can study the behavior and interactions of particles at extreme conditions, which can help test and refine theories about the fundamental nature of matter and the universe. This higher energy also opens up the possibility of discovering new particles or phenomena that were previously unknown.

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