Spin-offs of high energy physics to society

Scientists are more and more frequently asked about the spin-offs of fundamental research. To answer effectively, it is important to organise the multiple aspects of knowledge and technology transfer in a coherent scheme. In this paper the spin-offs of particle physics to other fields of science and to industries are grouped in four streams: usable knowledge, people, methods and technologies. After treating these four items, with examples and suggestions of ways to improve the quality and quantity of the spin-offs, the pathways through which the results and the techniques of fundamental science percolate to society are discussed. (33 refs).