Undergraduate team narrows down possible extensions to particle physics standard model
Researchers have calculated the precision needed to detect violations of Lorentz symmetry for all 132 candidate extensions to the standard model of particle physics. This work, led by Jay Tasson at Carleton College, provides experimental targets for searching for new physics beyond the current model. The findings could guide future experiments aimed at explaining phenomena like dark matter and dark energy.
The standard model of particle physics, while remarkably successful, leaves gravity unexplained and cannot account for dark matter or dark energy. The standard model extension (SME) catalogues 132 possible Lorentz-violating quantum fields that could point toward a more complete theory. This new work, led by Jay Tasson, calculates the experimental sensitivity needed to detect each candidate, focusing on protons, neutrons, and electrons—particles central to high-precision tests. The team’s analysis draws on existing measurements from rotating helium and potassium atoms, as well as pendulum experiments probing electron behavior, providing concrete targets for future searches.
This research could sharpen the focus of future physics experiments, potentially saving time and resources by telling researchers exactly how sensitive their instruments must be. If any Lorentz violation is detected, it may reshape our understanding of fundamental forces and help explain cosmic mysteries like dark energy. However, the impact is largely confined to the scientific community in the near term; broader societal effects would only emerge if new physics leads to practical technologies, which remains speculative.