1.5 Electron Positron Collisions and Linear Colliders

summary

Collisions

In the 1970s, particle accelerators were developed that could collide particles.
Proton–proton collisions are complicated because there are many components in protons, so the initial conditions of the experiment are not known.
Electron–positron collisions are simpler because all the energy goes into the final products.

Colliders

Circular and linear accelerators each have advantages and disadvantages, which include cost differences and the need to account for synchrotron radiation (electromagnetic radiation emitted when a charged particle is accelerated radially).