CERN Scientists Hint At New Physics Beyond Standard Model
A Rare Find at CERN
CERN also known as the European Organization for Nuclear Research, found something that could cause a permanent change in the world of physics. The researchers detected and measured an ultra-rare form of decay at the subatomic level which provides a new understanding regarding the standard model of particle physics, Futurism reported. The observation of such a decay is a rarity in particle physics, which makes the discovery special.
Standard Model of Particle Physics
Scientists use the Standard Model of Particle Physics to explain the building blocks of the universe, the Office of Science reported. The model predicts the interaction of several particles like quarks, leptons, and bosons which keep the universe afloat. Scientists routinely conduct experiments with particles to find out if the assertions made by the model align with reality, IFL Science reported. "The Standard Model describes the fundamental forces and building blocks of the universe. It is a highly successful theory, but there are several mysteries of the universe that the Standard Model does not explain, such as the nature of dark matter and the origins of the matter-antimatter imbalance in the universe," Professor Mark Thomson, chair of the Science and Technology Facilities Council explained. "Physicists have been searching for theoretical extensions to the Standard Model. Measurements of ultra-rare processes provide an exciting avenue for exploring these possibilities, with the hope of discovering new physics beyond the Standard Model."
A Sign of 'New Physics'
The standard model predicts a lot of processes and particles that physicists are yet to observe in reality, Futurism reported. The ultra-rare form of decay for a subatomic particle called a kaon is one such phenomenon that the model has predicted but has never been proved. As per the standard model, this method of decay is called the "golden channel." During the NA62 experiment, CERN experts noted the "golden channel" facilitating in front of their eyes and were surprised. "If we measure a deviation from the [standard model], it's a clear sign of new physics," Cristina Lazzeroni, a particle physicist at the University of Birmingham who worked on the experiment shared, Interesting Engineering reported.
'Golden Channel'
The "golden channel" method of decay happens when charged kaons disintegrate and produce three other particles: a charged particle called a pion, as well as a neutrino, and an antimatter neutrino, or anti-neutrino, Futurism reported. The CERN experts in their experiment took a particle accelerator and blasted a high-intensity beam of protons into a stationary target. This process led to the ejection of various secondary particles including kaons, all of which were carefully measured in a detector. During the whole operation, the scientists managed to detect the "golden channel" unfolding in front of their eyes. As per the researchers, the charged kaons underwent ultra-rare decay about 13 in 100 billion times. Experts observed that this ultra-rare decay, in reality, is more frequent than what was predicted by the model. Its occurrence was noted to be 50 percent more than the original prediction in the exercise.
Future of the Model
Even though the observations prove one of the model's predictions wrong, researchers are still not ready to abandon its use in their works, Futurism reported. Many experts believe that the environment, in which the experiment occurred added a certain level of uncertainty to the findings. They believe that in conventional surroundings, the model's prediction could align with reality. CERN experts want more analysis to take place on the predictions done by the model, to conclude. "Searching for hints of new physics in this decay requires more data, but this result is a leap forward and further strengthens the strong interest in this line of research," NA62 physics coordinator Karim Massri said in a statement about the work.