Is there new physics beyond the Standard Model of particle physics? Our finding will help settle the question

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It neither describes gravity nor the unknown components that make up most of the energy density in the universe: dark matter and dark energy.

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The ConversationThe Conversation
URL: 
https://theconversation.com/is-there-new-physics-beyond-the-standard-model-of-particle-physics-our-finding-will-help-settle-the-question-211280https://theconversation.com/is-there-new-physics-beyond-the-standard-model-of-particle-physics-our-finding-will-help-settle-the-question-211280
Retrieved on: 
Thursday, August 10, 2023
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Tags: 
Electron, Mechanics, Shock, Temperature, Sigma, Particle, Data, Nature, Physics, Standard Model, Conceptual model, Brookhaven National Laboratory, Tesla, Muon g-2, Physical Review Letters, Muon, Extrusion, Electric motor, Risk management, Fermilab
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US, RUSSIA
Summary
Key Points: 
  • It neither describes gravity nor the unknown components that make up most of the energy density in the universe: dark matter and dark energy.
  • Particle physicists are therefore on a treasure hunt looking for any possible deviation from “expected” behaviour that could hint at new physics.
  • One fundamental building block in the Standard Model is the muon, a particle similar to an electron but 200 times more massive.
  • The muon has a long history of revolutionising particle physics – even its discovery was a shock.
  • Any missing pieces in the Standard Model would modify the rate by an amount slightly higher or lower than predicted, making this a powerful search tool for new physics.

Boosting accuracy

    • While the statistical uncertainty has been reduced, other improvements were needed to make the measurement even more precise.
    • The magnetic field direction determines the axis of the wobble, so keeping the temperature fluctuations of the magnet under control was crucial.
    • Differences in temperature also cause the magnet pieces to expand and contract, which changes the magnetic field slightly.
    • At our level of accuracy, even a change one thousandth of a millimetre could have a huge effect on the wobble.
    • For this reason, a thermal coat was installed around the ring and a cooling system in the experimental hall.
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