The role of Particle Physics in the economy and society of United States

Young-Kee Kim
Professor of Physics at the Department of Physics
and the Enrico Fermi Institute, University of Chicago
Deputy Director, Fermilab

ABSTRACT: The understanding of the basic laws of Nature has made impressive progress thanks to the improvements in technologies that have made available sophisticated instruments. On the other hand technological progress often has been driven by the requests of the physicists curious to investigate the unknown. The synergy between particle physics and technological development is evident in the economy and in the society of the United States where notwithstanding the current crisis more resources are reserved to fundamental research. The latest example is the new research program starting at the Fermi National Laboratory which will open new Physics frontiers and will help the raise of the economy.