On Thursday, May 22, the U.S. particle physics community presented its much anticipated report, "Building for Discovery," that outlines a bold vision for the future of U.S. activities in this field of science. The authoring group, the Particle Physics Project Prioritization Panel (P5), chaired by Steve Ritz (a professor of physics at the University of California at Santa Cruz), engaged in extensive consultation and analysis to identify the most exciting and productive areas of research and how the country should pursue them.
The report was met with enthusiasm and applause, capturing headlines in the LA Times, NBC News, and Salon.com as well as Science and Nature among others. Nationally and internationally, the global community of particle physics was effusive in its praise for Ritz and his committee. In U.S. DOE comments on the report, it was noted that the report recognizes the reality of a challenging funding landscape, where choices have to be made and resources stewarded carefully, and confronts those challenges head on.
Lia Merminga, head of TRIUMF's Accelerator Division, was one of the authors of the report, contributing world-leading expertise in accelerator science and technology. She said, "The P5 strategic plan is scientifically compelling, community-driven, and by all indications, community-accepted, and can be implemented immediately. It's been a privilege and an honor (and lots of hard work) to serve on the P5 panel, under Steve's outstanding leadership."
The report argues that the promise of high-energy physics has never been greater; far from "settling" the big questions in physics, the discovery of the Higgs boson and other recent breakthroughs in particle physics have opened more doors to exploring and understanding our universe. Despite the funding challenges in the U.S., the report concludes, much important fundamental work can be accomplished and many tremendous scientific opportunities can be pursued within the P5 vision.
Large high-priority projects include strong U.S. participation in the Large Hadron Collider and its high-luminosity experiments, hosting a world-leading accelerator-based neutrino program in the United States, and construction of the Mu2e experiment. Support for the International Linear Collider is included in the plan under all budget scenarios. Medium and small projects to study dark matter, dark energy and the cosmic microwave background are given high priority, as is the provision of funding for a suite of small experiments that will help produce physics results continuously throughout the next 20 years.
We salute our U.S. colleagues for their thoughtful and careful work. The P5 report breaks new ground in several ways that extend beyond the common projects that are shared between the two countries:
- Value of particle physics. The P5 report provides a short and compact articulation of the value and scientific potential of particle physics as a field of research. The authors argue that the dual role of particle physics in inspiring young people and in driving technological developments help distinguish it as a rewarding endeavour. The report identifies five timely and compelling scientific drivers for the next decade of research and highlights the potential for transformative discoveries.
- International nature. A pioneering aspect of the report is its bold declaration, from a U.S. standpoint, of the importance of global collaboration and cooperation not only in executing shared research at large facilities but also in the formulation of future facilities. The report argues that a host nation needs to move from a set of bilateral agreements that secure international participation in a project to a common multi-lateral agreement that starts with a level playing field among partners and emerges with a common vision for objectives, resources, and implementation.
- Responsible planning in a clear framework. The P5 report structures a vision for the U.S. program that (a) identifies a set of program-wide features and constraints to ensure effective stewardship and impactful engagement of universities, laboratories, and people; (b) explicitly identifies activities to halt or delay, and (c) adjusts investment levels and timelines to produce an overall portfolio that maintains achievement while respecting tight budget guidance. The combination of these strategies creates a vision that is crisp, defensible, and very realistic.
From his perspective as an international advocate for particle physics and a leading spokesperson for the U.S. community, incoming TRIUMF director Jonathan Bagger commented, "The P5 report provides a strategic roadmap for U.S. particle physics. It makes difficult choices but in the end articulates a clear and compelling case for the field. The report structures its argument in a way that should resonate with policymakers. With respect to the international community, the report explicitly recognizes that each country's decisions affect many others, and it emphasizes the need for cooperation and coordination before, during, and after these decisions are made." He added, "At TRIUMF, we look forward to working closely with our U.S. colleagues to realize our shared vision for the science that drives our field."
--T.I. Meyer, Head, Strategic Planning & Communication