Small accidents mean big trouble for supercollider

Small accidents mean big trouble for supercollider

GENEVA (AP) — Scientists expect startup glitches in the massive, complex machines they use to smash atoms.

But the unique qualities of the world's largest particle collider mean that the meltdown of a small electrical connection could delay its groundbreaking research until next year, scientists said Sunday.

Because the Large Hadron Collider operates at near absolute zero — colder than outer space — the damaged area must be warmed to a temperature where humans can work. That takes about a month. Then it has to be re-chilled for another month.

As a result, the equipment may not be running again before the planned shutdown of the equipment for the winter to reduce electricity costs. That means Friday's meltdown could end up putting off high-energy collisions of particles — the machine's ultimate objective — until 2009.

Small accidents mean big trouble for supercollider
The Associated Press New Particle Collider to Be Shut Down for Repairs New York Times
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