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Cern adds to ‘hints’ of gaps in particle physics Standard Model

Image: Max Braun [CC BY-SA 2.0] via Wikimedia Commons

Incongruous decay of subatomic particles points to problems with standard theories of fundamental forces

Researchers at Cern, the European Organization for Nuclear Research, have said recent results from the Large Hadron Collider particle accelerator challenge the Standard Model theory, which has explained almost all experimental results from particle physics.

The findings, announced on 23 March, add to a small but growing body of evidence that the 50-year-old theory on the behaviour of elementary particles and forces may need to be revised.

Researchers in an LHC collaboration found that the decay of subatomic particles, called beauty quarks, into another class of particle, called a lepton, did not follow ratios predicted by the Standard Model.

The research team’s spokesperson, Chris Parkes, said if the finding is confirmed “it would require a new physical process, such as the existence of new fundamental particles or interactions”.

The LHC ‘beauty’ collaboration, one of four experiments using the machine, is expected to start collecting new data that may help to confirm the result next year, following an upgrade to the detector.