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AAAS Meeting: February 2008

Particle Physics and the Responsible Use of

Public Resources

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The “Provocative” Issue

Is the very title of this talk (“Particle Physics and the Responsible Use of Public Resources”) an Oxymoron?

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Clarifying the “Provocative” Issue

This presentation is not concerned with the difficult problem of whether the nation’s scientific budget is too large/small with respect to other needs.

The presentation is focused on addressing the priority of and priorities within EPP as part of the Nation’s budget for scientific research

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National Academy Report: Title!

“Revealing The Hidden Nature of Space and

Time”

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National Academy Report: Real Content

Recommended Priorities for the U.S. Program In

Elementary Particle Physics Over the Next 15 Years

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A Word About The EPP Committee

Particle Physicists (9, two from abroad)

Other Physicists (5) Non Physicists (6)

Harold T. Shapiro (Chair) Harold Varmus Norm Augustine Etc.!

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Background Data (Physics): What an Amateur Had to Know

Particle physics studies the fundamental constituents of matter and the evolvingnature of the universe (i.e. all the particles and forces). What is the nature of space and time? What are the origins of mass? How did the universe begin and how is it

evolving?Explaining the very large and the very

small

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Background Data (Physics): What an Amateur Had to Know

Need to reconcile the Standard Model [describes the relationships among the known elementary particles and three of the four forces] with the General Theory of Relativity. That is discover the forces that ‘unite’ general relativity and quantum mechanics.

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The Next Step: What an Amateur Had to Know

To meet this extraordinary challenge and opportunity requires controlled experiments at the Terascale level of energies [i.e. to be achieved at the LHC and the proposed ILC], since at these energy levels the Standard Model ‘breaks down’.

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The Next Step: The Resource Challenge

The LHC [a hadron collider at CERN in Geneva] is about to commence operations and data generation.

The next critical next step is the proposed ILC is complementary to the LHC [i.e. is not a hadron collider].

The cost of the ILC is not yet fully understood, but it surely is, like the LHC many billion of dollars.

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The Sociology and Finance of Experimental Particle Physics

Very large experimental teams working at a small number of major facilities, principally in North America, Europe and Japan.

Students and faculty used to working ‘abroad’

Major laboratories are “generational” events and require large up front expenditures, but they last decades.

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Rhetorical Questions

Will the U.S. host any of the major laboratories in the next decades?

Does U.S. leadership in EPP require a major laboratory in the U.S.?

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Background Data: Policy

The national budget for EPP has been stagnant in real terms for about a decade at about $750 million per annum.

The key U.S. experimental facilities are nearing the end of their useful scientific lives.

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Background Date: Policy

Budgets abroad [Europe and Japan] have been expanding.

Are We in the U.S. Silently Executing an Exit Strategy?

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Key Issue (1)

Should the U.S. give up its historic position of leadership

in this scientific arena?

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Key Issue (2)

Is there a reasonable strategy available that would enable the U.S. to regain, or sustain

a position of leadership?

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First Step: Assessing the Nature of the Scientific Agenda

How exciting are the scientific opportunities available in EPP…

Really?

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For the “uninitiated” does Particle Physics still matter?

As a committee of skeptics, outsiders, and insiders, how exciting were the scientific opportunities in particle physics?

First the committee concluded

that particle physics continues to be a critical component of the physical sciences.

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Is This the Right Moment for EPP

Second the committee concluded that this was scientifically an exceptionally exciting time for EPP.

Third the committee believed that

the technologies now available to explore the terascale were now available, and that potentially profound discoveries lay ahead.

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The Status of the U.S. Program Historical Distinction Major Human Capital Resources Stagnating Level of Support Intellectual Center of Gravity (and U.S. Human

Capital) Moving Abroad Major U.S. Experimental Facilities Coming to

the End of Their Scientifically Useful Lives No Compelling Follow-On Plan in Place Risk of Losing Substantial Resource

Commitments.

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Does “Leadership” In Particle Physics Matter?

Continues to be a Critical Part of the Physical Sciences

Connected to all the Sciences Leadership is Central to the Realization

of the Intellectual, Economic, Social and Cultural Dividends

Leadership Versus Domination

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Is There a Strategy Available to the U.S. Program for Sustained Distinction?

Assume a Reasonable Level of Resource Commitments [i.e. 2-3% above inflation]

Articulate Some Strategic Principles Evaluate Alternative Strategies

[“Accelerator” versus “Non Accelerator”]

Propose Priorities in the Context of the Strategic Principles

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Strategic Principles Intrinsic Value of Particle Physics Importance of Leadership Greater Emphasis on Strategic International

Partnerships Need for Vision, Priorities, Risk Taking,

Flexibility, Responsible Budget Diversified Portfolio Long Term Planning Including Budget

Planning

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Ordered Priorities LHC Based Experiments at CERN Risk Capital for ILC R&D, and Associated

Studies Required to Be Able to Make a Compelling Bid to Host

Opportunities at the Intersection of Astrophysics and Particle Physics

Neutrino and Proton Decay Probes [Staged in time]

Precision Probes of Physics Beyond the Standard Model

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Question/Issue

Can the U.S. government and the U.S. EPP Community unite behind a compelling vision [i.e.

a set of priorities] to restore [maintain] U.S. leadership in this critical area of science?

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Answer There is an available strategy to

sustain, [restore?] U.S. leadership in this arena, but only if we are willing to take some strategic risks.

Given recent history it is time to invest some risk capital in order to be prepared [i.e. continue to have the option] to sustain [regain] our leadership.

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New Dividends/Excitement

The Global Design Effort (GDE): An Unprecedented Effort.

We all owe a great debt of

gratitude to Barry Barrish and his colleagues from around the world for their inspired effort.

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Personal Observation: Continuing R&D

I hope that the world-wide effort in R&D will be coordinated through the GDE or other suitable mechanism. There is no alternative to this

continuing cooperation if we are to use public funds responsibly

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Financing: An Observation Meaningful U.S. participation in the next

exciting stage in EPP will require the following financial partners:

THE EXISTING U.S. PROGRAM IN PARTICLE PHYSICS,

OTHER ELEMENTS OF DOE, NSF, AND, ESPECIALLY IF IT IS BUILT IN THE U.S.,

SOME SPECIAL PROJECT FUNDS.

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Questions?