For the past 50 years, the standard model of particle physics has provided an incredibly accurate understanding of the fundamental components of the universe and their interactions. However, there are still many unanswered questions, such as the nature of gravity, the abundance of matter compared to antimatter, and the existence of dark matter and dark energy. In the search for a more complete theory, physicists are employing various strategies to explore potential physics beyond the standard model. Here are six approaches that leading physicists believe could lead to groundbreaking discoveries.
1. Collisions at the Energy Frontier
By Jon Butterworth
University College London
One approach involves conducting experiments at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) over the next decade and a half. Despite the risks of challenging the standard model, physicists are hopeful that high-energy collisions at the LHC could unveil new particles and phenomena that could expand our understanding of the universe.
2. Exploring Dark Matter and Dark Energy
By Sarah Bridle
University of Manchester
Dark matter and dark energy together account for 95% of the cosmos, and yet, their exact nature remains elusive. Scientists are actively investigating these mysterious entities through astrophysical observations, experimental simulations, and sophisticated technologies in the hopes of unlocking their secrets.
3. Probing the Neutrino Sector
By Bonnie Fleming
Yale University
Neutrinos, the elusive subatomic particles with almost no mass, have a significant role to play in the search for physics beyond the standard model. Studying these particles, their oscillations, and potential violations of symmetry could provide valuable insights into the fundamental laws governing our universe.
4. Exploring the Quantum World
By Sabine Hossenfelder
Frankfurt Institute for Advanced Studies
Exploring the quantum realm and testing the limits of quantum mechanics can shed light on potential deviations from the standard model. By studying quantum phenomena in various systems and pushing the boundaries of our understanding, physicists hope to uncover new theoretical frameworks that can explain the mysteries of the universe.
5. Searching for Supersymmetry
By Nima Arkani-Hamed
Institute for Advanced Study
Supersymmetry is a theoretical framework that proposes the existence of an entirely new set of particles and forces. Physicists are actively searching for evidence of supersymmetry through experiments conducted at particle accelerators, such as the LHC, in the hopes of finding new clues that extend beyond the standard model.
6. Investigating Extra Dimensions
By Lisa Randall
Harvard University
Exploring the concept of extra dimensions beyond the three spatial dimensions we are familiar with could provide a new perspective on the nature of the universe. By studying the effects of higher dimensions on particle physics and cosmology, scientists aim to discover evidence of these additional dimensions and potentially unlock new physics.
By employing these strategies and pushing the boundaries of scientific knowledge, physicists are on a quest to unravel the secrets of the universe and uncover a more complete picture of reality.
