Physicists have long been searching for new theories to improve our understanding of the universe and resolve big unanswered questions. One such phenomenon is dark matter, which is visible only through its gravitational effects. Despite signs of its presence throughout the universe, scientists are still unsure what it’s made of.
A new experimental result has shed light on this mystery. Researchers at Fermilab have measured the strength of a particle called the muon with unprecedented precision. The results suggest that the muon’s magnetism could be affected by a previously unknown force. This discovery could lead to new physics and even clues about dark matter.
The muon is a heavy particle produced when cosmic rays hit Earth’s atmosphere. It has been used in various experiments, including finding hidden chambers in pyramids and studying magma chambers in volcanoes. In 2006, researchers measured the muon’s magnetism with remarkable accuracy. However, a tiny discrepancy between theory and experiment sparked curiosity about the existence of new physics.
To resolve this mystery, an international collaboration was formed to increase the precision of both results. The experiment was repeated, resulting in a more precise measurement of the muon’s magnetism. Meanwhile, theorists made sweeping improvements to their calculations, including incorporating the Higgs boson and studying collisions between electrons and positrons.
However, when combining these results with simulations, scientists found a discrepancy that seemed to indicate new physics. Further research revealed that this tension could be explained by a hypothetical particle called a “dark photon.” If it exists, the dark photon could explain the difference between the latest muon results and electron-positron experiments, as well as provide clues about dark matter’s relationship with ordinary matter.
While the discovery is intriguing, scientists are now focusing on verifying the results through further research. The Muon g-2 Theory Initiative has shifted its approach to using simulation results in official predictions, eliminating hints of new physics. Nevertheless, the possibility of a dark photon remains an exciting area of exploration, and physicists continue to investigate this mysterious phenomenon.
Source: https://theconversation.com/how-physicists-used-antimatter-supercomputers-and-giant-magnets-to-solve-a-20-year-old-mystery-257891