The Unparalleled Collaboration: A Physics Paper with Over 5000 Authors

The world of scientific research is witnessing remarkable collaborations, with one particular paper setting a new record for the largest number of co-authors. A paper from the ATLAS and CMS experiments at CERN, titled “Combined Measurement of the Higgs Boson Mass in pp Collisions at sp 7 and 8 TeV with the ATLAS and CMS Experiments,” has made history with 5154 authors.

The Record-Breaking Article

This publication in Physical Review Letters stands out among scientific papers. Despite covering 33 pages, the first nine pages detail the research itself, including references. The remaining 24 pages are dedicated to listing the 5154 co-authors from around the globe. This demonstrates the extensive multinational and multi-institutional effort involved in the project.

ATLAS and CMS Collaborations

The ATLAS and CMS collaborations are key players in the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) at CERN. These two detectors are responsible for gathering vast amounts of data used in particle physics research. The joint paper the ATLAS and CMS teams have produced is the first to come out of their collaborative efforts, highlighting the unprecedented scale of modern scientific research.

Prior to the Record

Before this marvel, a physics paper in 2011 from the LIGO (Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory) collaboration had the largest number of co-authors at 3221. The LIGO paper, titled “A Resonant Sideband Filter at 2163 Hz for the High Power Laser System of the LIGO Veto Vaccuum Systems,” presented a detailed analysis of their gravitational-wave detector system. Although impressive, it pales in comparison to the new record set by the ATLAS and CMS teams.

Implications and Future of Scientific Research

With the increasing complexity of scientific endeavors, particularly in fields like particle physics, the trend towards large, collaborative teams is likely to continue. The ATLAS and CMS collaborations exemplify this trend, with the number of co-authors reflecting the vast human investment in scientific research.

The unprecedented co-authorship in this paper also signifies the growing reliance on international collaboration. Researchers, institutions, and funding bodies are increasingly recognizing the value of such collaborations in advancing scientific knowledge and achieving breakthroughs.

Conclusion

The scientific community is witnessing a new era of research where large-scale collaborations play a vital role. The paper with 5154 authors is a testament to this trend, showcasing the potential and challenges of modern scientific research. As the field continues to evolve, it is likely that we will see more such record-breaking collaborations in the future.

Keywords: scientific journal article, co-authors, LIGO collaboration