Where should the International Linear Collider be built?

By Hamish Johnston

Japan has announced that it will bid to host the International Linear Collider (ILC), which is expected to be the next big experiment in particle physics after the Large Hadron Collider at CERN. The Japanese press is saying that the particle smasher – which is expected to cost about $8bn and stretch for 40 km underground – could be built on the island of Kyushu.

The word on the street is that either Japan, CERN located on the Swiss-French border, or Fermilab in the US will play host to the massive project. Physics World’s Margaret Harris was at Fermilab recently to find out what will become of the facility now that its premier collider – the Tevatron – has shut down. Margaret didn’t focus on the lab’s chances of bagging the ILC, but rather on the plethora of experiments that are ongoing or planned for the near future. Her article about the visit also includes a series of audio clips of Fermilab physicists describing their work.

So, do you think Fermilab is the place for the ILC? This week’s poll question is:

Where should the International Linear Collider be built?

At CERN (Europe)
At Fermilab (US)
In Japan
It should never be built

Have your say by visiting our Facebook page. And feel free to explain your vote, or suggest another location, by posting a comment on the poll… (continua a leggere su physicsworld.com)