An introduction to the world of quarks and leptons, and of their interactions governed by fundamental symmetries of nature, as well as an introduction to the connection that exists between worlds of the infinitesimally small and the infinitely large.The book begins with a simple presentation of the theoretical framework, the so-called Standard Model, which evolved gradually since the 1960s. The key experiments establishing it as the theory of elementary particle physics, but also its missing pieces and conceptual weaknesses are introduced. The book proceeds with the extraordinary story of the Large Hadron Collider at CERN — the largest purely scientific project ever realized. Conception, design and construction by worldwide collaborations of the detectors of size and complexity without precedent in scientific history are discussed. The book then offers the reader a state-of-the art (2020) appreciation of the depth and breadth of the physics exploration performed by the LHC experiments: the study of new forms of matter, the understanding of symmetry-breaking phenomena at the fundamental level, the exciting searches for new physics such as dark matter, additional space dimensions, new symmetries, and more. The adventure of the LHC culminated in the discovery of the Higgs boson in 2012 (Nobel Prize in Physics in 2013). The last chapter of this book describes the plans for the LHC during the next 15 years of exploitation and improvement, and the possible evolution of the field and future collider projects under consideration.The authors are researchers from CERN, CEA and CNRS (France), and deeply engaged in the LHC program: D Denegri in the CMS experiment, C Guyot, A Hoecker and L Roos in the ATLAS experiment. Some of them are involved since the inception of the project. They give a lively and accessible inside view of this amazing scientific and human adventure.

An introduction to the world of quarks and leptons, and of their interactions governed by fundamental symmetries of nature, as well as an introduction to the connection that exists between worlds of the infinitesimally small and the infinitely large.The book begins with a simple presentation of the theoretical framework, the so-called Standard Model, which evolved gradually since the 1960s. The key experiments establishing it as the theory of elementary particle physics, but also its missing pieces and conceptual weaknesses are introduced. The book proceeds with the extraordinary story of the Large Hadron Collider at CERN -- the largest purely scientific project ever realized. Conception, design and construction by worldwide collaborations of the detectors of size and complexity without precedent in scientific history are discussed. The book then offers the reader a state-of-the art (2020) appreciation of the depth and breadth of the physics exploration performed by the LHC experiments: the study of new forms of matter, the understanding of symmetry-breaking phenomena at the fundamental level, the exciting searches for new physics such as dark matter, additional space dimensions, new symmetries, and more. The adventure of the LHC culminated in the discovery of the Higgs boson in 2012 (Nobel Prize in Physics in 2013). The last chapter of this book describes the plans for the LHC during the next 15 years of exploitation and improvement, and the possible evolution of the field and future collider projects under consideration.The authors are researchers from CERN, CEA and CNRS (France), and deeply engaged in the LHC program: D Denegri in the CMS experiment, C Guyot, A Hoecker and L Roos in the ATLAS experiment. Some of them are involved since the inception of the project. They give a lively and accessible inside view of this amazing scientific and human adventure.

"When the discovery of the Higgs Boson at CERN hit headlines in 2012, the world was stunned by this achievement of modern science. Less well known however, are the ways in which this advanced discovery has benefitted wider society. The Large Hadron Collider -- The Greatest Adventure in Town charts a path through the cultural, economic and medical gains from modern particle physics. It illustrates its messages through the ATLAS experiment, one of the two big experiments which found the Higgs particle. Moving away from in-depth physics analysis, it draws on the unparalleled interest in fundamental physics aroused by the discovery of the Higgs Boson, and relates it to developments in wide-ranging every-day use, including the internet, its successor 'The Grid', and modern-day cancer treatments. These wider gains of developing the 27 kilometre accelerator with its detectors are presented through first-hand interviews, and extensively illustrated throughout the book. Interviewees are leading physicists including successive heads of ATLAS, a top physics historian, a highly original economic strategist and the Nobel Prize-winning geneticist and president of the Royal Society in London. These entertaining and informative insights provide both specialists and non-specialists a unique view into the world of research surrounding the ATLAS experiment, and its implications, and the extent and style of scientific collaboration necessary to achieve its successes"--

When the discovery of the Higgs Boson at CERN hit the headlines in 2012, the world was stunned by this achievement of modern science. Less well appreciated, however, were the many ways in which this benefited wider society.The Large Hadron Collider — The Greatest Adventure in Town charts a path through the cultural, economic and medical gains of modern particle physics. It illustrates these messages through the ATLAS experiment at CERN, one of the two big experiments which found the Higgs particle. Moving clear of in-depth physics analysis, it draws on the unparalleled curiosity about particle physics aroused by the Higgs discovery, and relates it to developments familiar in the modern world, including the Internet, its successor 'The Grid', and the latest cancer treatments.In this book, advances made from developing the 27 kilometre particle accelerator and its detectors are presented with the benefit of first hand interviews and are extensively illustrated throughout. Interviewees are leading physicists including successive heads of ATLAS, a top historian of science, a highly original economic strategist, a Nobel Prize-winning geneticist and President of the Royal Society in London, and experts in many other fields. These informative and entertaining insights provide both specialists and non-specialists alike with a unique window into the world of modern international research and its often surprising consequences, as exemplified by the ATLAS experiment. The narrative reveals the extent and style of international collaboration necessary to achieve success, and how big companies as well as start-ups enhance their products in the process.

The book aims to explain the historical development of particle physics, with special emphasis on CERN and collider physics. It describes in detail the LHC accelerator and its detectors, describing the science involved as well as the sociology of big collaborations, culminating with the discovery of the Higgs boson. Readers are led step-by-step to understanding why we do particle physics, as well as the tools and problems involved in the field. It provides an insider's view on the experiments at the Large Hadron Collider.

The Large Hadron Collider, one of the greatest scientific marvels of the 21st century, is described in this informative book. Written by the head scientists involved, the book places its construction into the context of its scientific goals and principles. Pub 8/09.