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Physics and Technology of the Next Linear Collider: A Report Submitted to Snowmass '96

NLC ZDR Design Group, NLC Physics Working Group, S. Kuhlman

TL;DR

The study presents a comprehensive plan for the Next Linear Collider (NLC), detailing both the physics program at a TeV-scale e+e− collider and a Zeroth-Order Design Report for a 0.5–1.5 TeV machine. It argues that an NLC with polarized beams, X-band RF technology, and robust detector design can deliver precision tests of the Standard Model, detailed top-quark and Higgs physics, and broad access to new physics such as SUSY and exotic gauge states, complementing LHC discoveries. The document assesses accelerator technology readiness, outlines R&D progress (klystrons, RF compression, wakefield control, damping rings), and proposes a feasible design with upgrade paths to 1–1.5 TeV, including dual interaction regions and e−e−/γγ options. It also emphasizes the importance of international collaboration and integrated test facilities (FFT/B, NLCTA) to validate the technology and optimization strategies before construction. Overall, the NLC is presented as a pivotal, globally-coordinated facility capable of probing the TeV-scale structure of electroweak symmetry breaking and new physics with precision measurements and diverse collision modes.

Abstract

We present the current expectations for the design and physics program of an e+e- linear collider of center of mass energy 500 GeV -- 1 TeV. We review the experiments that would be carried out at this facility and demonstrate its key role in exploring physics beyond the Standard Model over the full range of theoretical possibilities. We then show the feasibility of constructing this machine, by reviewing the current status of linear collider technology and by presenting a precis of our `zeroth-order' design.

Physics and Technology of the Next Linear Collider: A Report Submitted to Snowmass '96

TL;DR

The study presents a comprehensive plan for the Next Linear Collider (NLC), detailing both the physics program at a TeV-scale e+e− collider and a Zeroth-Order Design Report for a 0.5–1.5 TeV machine. It argues that an NLC with polarized beams, X-band RF technology, and robust detector design can deliver precision tests of the Standard Model, detailed top-quark and Higgs physics, and broad access to new physics such as SUSY and exotic gauge states, complementing LHC discoveries. The document assesses accelerator technology readiness, outlines R&D progress (klystrons, RF compression, wakefield control, damping rings), and proposes a feasible design with upgrade paths to 1–1.5 TeV, including dual interaction regions and e−e−/γγ options. It also emphasizes the importance of international collaboration and integrated test facilities (FFT/B, NLCTA) to validate the technology and optimization strategies before construction. Overall, the NLC is presented as a pivotal, globally-coordinated facility capable of probing the TeV-scale structure of electroweak symmetry breaking and new physics with precision measurements and diverse collision modes.

Abstract

We present the current expectations for the design and physics program of an e+e- linear collider of center of mass energy 500 GeV -- 1 TeV. We review the experiments that would be carried out at this facility and demonstrate its key role in exploring physics beyond the Standard Model over the full range of theoretical possibilities. We then show the feasibility of constructing this machine, by reviewing the current status of linear collider technology and by presenting a precis of our `zeroth-order' design.

Paper Structure

This paper contains 108 sections, 33 equations, 95 figures, 28 tables.

Table of Contents

  1. The Next Linear Collider
  2. Goals for the Next Linear Collider
  3. Accelerator Design Choices
  4. The Stanford Linear Collider
  5. Future Linear Colliders
  6. The Next Linear Collider
  7. Technology Choice and Design Philosophy
  8. Status Report on Technologies for the NLC
  9. Outlook for the Next Linear Collider
  10. Physics Goals of the Next Linear Collider
  11. Introduction
  12. Standard Model Processes and Simulations
  13. Accelerator and Detector
  14. Simulations
  15. Standard Model Processes at the NLC
  16. ...and 93 more sections

Figures (95)

  • Figure 1: The energy frontier of particle physics. The effective constituent energy of existing and planned colliders and the year of first physics results from each.
  • Figure 2: Physics goals for a TeV-scale $e^+e^-$ collider.
  • Figure 3: The Stanford Linear Collider (SLC).
  • Figure 4: Performance of the SLC from early commissioning. Polarization of the electron beam is also shown.
  • Figure 5: Schematic of a TeV-scale linear collider.
  • ...and 90 more figures