Experimental high-energy physics without computer simulations

Studies in History and Philosophy of Science Part A, vol. 106, pp. 37–42

Abstract

This paper argues against the claim that high-energy physics experiments done so far could not be carried out without computer simulations. We show that it would be possible to completely dispense with computer simulations for experiments conducted to date, and that computer simulations up to now are mostly used for practical reasons. Our investigation covers all elements of experimental research in which computer simulations have been used. Dispensing with simulations would yield an advantage with regard to the complex theory dependence of experiments. We also point out that computer simulations may play a more essential role for the complex measurements foreseen at the Large Hadron Collider, where subtle dependencies between final state objects in high-energy physics experiments must be accurately described. Therefore, the conceivable complete replacement of computer simulations may have come to an end, and the theory dependence of high-energy physics experiments through computer simulations may be entering a new phase.

Authors 3

1. Michael Krämer corresponding Aachen Institute for Theoretical Particle Physics and Cosmology

   RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   Institute for Theoretical Particle Physics and Cosmology, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany. Electronic address: mkraemer@physik.rwth-aachen.de

2. Gregor Schiemann

   University of Wuppertal

   Affiliation as printed

   Department of Philosophy, Bergische Universität Wuppertal, Wuppertal, Germany

3. Christian Zeitnitz

   University of Wuppertal

   Affiliation as printed

   Physics Department, Bergische Universität Wuppertal, Wuppertal, Germany