The Physics Post

In the cosmic theater of particles and forces, a profound interplay between the micro and the macro unfolds, revealing the universe's intricate tapestry. Amidst this grand cosmic symphony, two enigmatic performers take center stage: neutrinos, the ethereal messengers that traverse space, and the elusive quantum gravity effects that beckon from the depths of the Planck energy scale. In an awe-inspiring display of scientific exploration, the IceCube Collaboration orchestrates a mesmerizing ballet between these realms, unraveling a narrative that resonates deeply within the annals of particle physics.  Neutrinos: Cosmic Wanderers and Flavor Metamorphosis  Neutrinos, the almost weightless cosmic travelers, have captured the imagination of scientists for decades. Born in the fiery cores of stars and cataclysmic celestial events, these ghostly particles possess a remarkable ability to metamorphose between three distinct "flavors" – the electron, the muon, and the tau – as the...

The recent revelation by the IceCube neutrino detector of particle showers associated with Glashow resonance has ignited a fervor within the scientific community. Embark with us on a journey into the intricate workings of the IceCube neutrino detector, delve into the enigma of Glashow resonance, and grasp the profound ramifications of this groundbreaking discovery. Our odyssey leads us through the pages of the prestigious journal Nature, Volume 591, Pages 220–224 (2021).  Exploring the Complexities of the IceCube Neutrino Observatory:  Nestled within the icy expanses of the South Pole, the IceCube Neutrino Observatory stands as a beacon of innovation. Crafted to capture the elusive high-energy neutrinos emanating from cosmic marvels like supernovae and black holes, this facility boasts a sophisticated array of Digital Optical Modules (DOMs). Within each DOM resides a photomultiplier tube and a data acquisition system, together weaving an intricate tapestry that unravels the ...

In the dynamic landscape of superconductors, the recent buzz surrounding LK-99 has sparked lively discussions within the scientific community. This enigmatic material has captured widespread attention due to its potential as a high-temperature superconductor. Dr. Griffin, a researcher at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, contributes to this discourse with a recent theoretical endeavor. Grounded in density functional theory, his work delves into the captivating realm of flat band structures within Cu-substituted apatite, affectionately referred to as 'LK99'. This article embarks on a journey to unveil the implications of this study, shedding light on the intricate relationship between flat bands and the realm of high-temperature superconductivity. The detailed findings of this research are documented on arXiv:2307.16892. The Apatite Framework and Cu-Substituted Apatite: Materials science, a realm fueled by insatiable curiosity, finds an alluring subject in the versati...

The pursuit of room temperature superconductors has been a long-standing challenge in the scientific community due to their transformative applications in various fields. Recently, a team of Korean researchers led by Sukbae Lee and Jihoon Kim reported a remarkable discovery in the realm of superconductivity. They claim to have identified a novel material, dubbed LK-99 after the initials of the lead researchers, which exhibits superconducting behavior at room temperature and ambient pressure. The study detailing this groundbreaking finding has been published in the "Journal of the Korean Crystal Growth and Crystal Technology" (Vol. 33, No. 2, 2023, pp. 61-70). This revelation, if validated, could potentially revolutionize the field of superconductivity and open up new avenues for practical applications. Superconducting Phenomenon: Superconductors are materials that, below a certain critical temperature, display the remarkable property of zero electrical resistance, leading t...

The groundbreaking discoveries made by Takaaki Kajita and Arthur B. McDonald earned them the prestigious Nobel Prize in Physics in 2015. Their contributions led to a paradigm shift in our understanding of neutrino oscillation, a phenomenon that transformed the field of particle physics. This blog post aims to explore the historical context, delve into the physics underlying neutrino oscillation, and examine the experimental principles employed in the Sudbury Neutrino Observatory (SNO) and Super-Kamiokande.  The Solar Neutrino Problem:  In the mid-1960s, physicist Raymond Davis Jr. embarked on a series of experiments aimed at detecting solar neutrinos—neutrinos emitted from the Sun. Employing an underground detector filled with an abundance of chlorine, Davis Jr. sought to capture the elusive interactions between neutrinos and chlorine atoms. However, the outcome of his experiments consistently revealed a strikingly lower count of observed neutrinos compared to the theoretical ...

Embark on an exhilarating voyage into the captivating domain of nuclear physics, where we unveil the enigmatic secrets hidden within atomic nuclei. Within this realm lies the captivating allure of neutron skins, an intriguing phenomenon that has captured the attention of researchers worldwide. Prepare to be enlightened as we delve into the depths of this blog post, illuminating the path with groundbreaking insights from the revolutionary PREX-2 experiments. Brace yourself for a mesmerizing exploration that will propel our comprehension of this captivating phenomenon to unprecedented heights. Understanding Neutron Skins: Consider the stable nucleus  208 Pb, composed of 82 protons and 126 neutrons. In this case, the neutrons exhibit a wider distribution than the protons (Fig. 1.). Although precise subatomic radius measurements are challenging, the distribution patterns suggest that the neutron radius surpasses that of protons. This disparity between radii is known as the neutron skin...

Welcome to the captivating world of particle physics, where scientists tirelessly probe the fundamental building blocks of our universe. In a groundbreaking discovery, the esteemed CDF (Collider Detector at Fermilab) collaboration has recently unveiled a perplexing mystery surrounding the mass of the W-boson [1]. Join us as we embark on a journey through their remarkable research findings, which challenge the long-held expectations of the standard model of particle physics. In this blog post, we will explore the significance of the W-boson mass anomaly and the profound implications it holds for our understanding of the universe. The Standard Model and the Missing Piece: A Puzzle Completed The standard model of particle physics stands as a remarkable framework, providing insights into the fundamental forces and particles that underpin our reality. However, until recently, a crucial piece of this intricate puzzle eluded scientists—the Higgs boson. In 2012, the discovery of the elusive Hi...

Hello readers! Today, we are excited to delve into the fascinating world of MicroBooNE and explore its groundbreaking research. The MicroBooNE collaboration has recently accomplished an unprecedented feat—the measurement of the cross section of Cabibbo-suppressed Λ (Lambda) baryon production. Let's take a closer look at their remarkable findings and the significance they hold. What is MicroBooNE? MicroBooNE, short for Micro Booster Neutrino Experiment, is a groundbreaking particle physics experiment located at the Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory (Fermilab) in Batavia, Illinois. Its primary objective is to study neutrino interactions using a state-of-the-art liquid argon time-projection chamber (LArTPC). By examining the properties and behavior of neutrinos and their interactions with matter, MicroBooNE aims to unveil the mysteries surrounding these elusive particles. Distinguishing MiniBooNE and MicroBooNE Before delving into the recent findings, it's important to disting...

Today, we delve into the fascinating world of neutrinos and explore the recent breakthrough made by the Borexino collaboration in measuring CNO neutrino fluxes. Neutrinos are elusive particles that originate from various astrophysical sources, and their study has unveiled valuable insights into the workings of the universe. In this post, we will discuss solar neutrinos, the CNO cycle, the significance of Borexino's measurements, and provide an overview of their groundbreaking paper. Solar Neutrinos and Neutrino Flux in Nuclear Reactions: Solar neutrinos, subatomic particles with no electric charge and minuscule mass, are generated within the Sun's core through nuclear reactions, particularly the proton-proton chain where hydrogen nuclei fuse to form helium. At each step of this process, various types of neutrinos are emitted, constituting the primary source of solar neutrinos. The quantity of solar neutrinos is truly astonishing – in a mere one-second interval, approximately 65...