CERN Finds High-Significance Hint of Physics Beyond Standard Model
The result, based on 650 billion decays, shows a four-sigma tension with Standard Model predictions and strengthens hints of new physics.
- Researchers at CERN's LHCb experiment observed B-meson decays that disagree with Standard Model predictions, with analysis of approximately 650 billion decays showing a tension of around 4 sigma.
- The Standard Model, which cannot explain dark matter, has dominated particle physics for 50 years; "penguin" decays—coined by British theorist John Ellis—involve quantum loops where bottom quarks transform into strange quarks, serving as sensitive probes.
- William Barter, a particle physicist at the University of Edinburgh, noted a one in 16,000 chance of random fluctuation, while the Compact Muon Solenoid experiment tentatively corroborated the discrepancy despite potential interference from "charming penguins."
- If the signal is real, Ben Allanach, a theoretical physicist at the University of Cambridge, suggested a "Z prime" particle could mediate a new force, or "leptoquarks" might explain the observed decay angles.
- Scientists expect further clarity as they analyze data collected since 2018, with results anticipated next year and future LHC upgrades planned for the 2030s aiming to accrue a dataset 15 times larger.
13 Articles
13 Articles
Researchers at CERN's Large Hadron Collider have measured results that differ from those predicted by the Standard Model during a rare particle decay process.
Large Hadron Collider detects strange particle behavior that could rewrite physics
Scientists working at CERN’s Large Hadron Collider may be seeing the strongest hints yet of physics beyond the Standard Model — the decades-old theory that explains the fundamental particles and forces of the universe. By studying incredibly rare particle transformations called “penguin decays,” researchers found behavior that doesn’t fully match theoretical predictions, raising the possibility that unknown particles or forces are influencing the
CERN to lead particle physics throughout the 21st century
In physics, no matter how much theorizing we do — or how precise our calculations and predictions become — there’s one overarching factor that determines whether we make progress or not: the amount and quality of relevant data, experimentally and/or observationally, that we acquire. Theoretically, our Standard Model of reality includes quantum field theory for electromagnetism and the nuclear forces, plus general relativity for gravity as our la…
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