Beyond the Standard Model of Particle Physics 47
tanmay writes "As time moves on, the case for supersymmetry keeps getting stronger. Physicsweb is reporting about an experiment that measures the relation between the spin of the muon and its magnetic moment, called the g-factor. The latest experiment is described as the most significant deviation to date between experiment and theory in particle physics, thus offering the clearest hint so far of new physics beyond the Standard Model of particle physics. We will know for sure if supersymmetry holds it's ground by 2007, when the Large Hadron Collider will commence operation."
About time... (Score:2, Informative)
Re:About time... (Score:3, Informative)
That a well crafted experiment at a smaller collider could positively confirm it?
Re:About time... (Score:3, Informative)
No, they ran an entirely new experiment with equipment and analysis techniques that were more sensitive.
Re:About time... (Score:4, Informative)
It's like using a small telescope vs using a large one: A small telescope may confirm something, but a larger one will tell you a lot more about it.
A "well crafted experiment at a smaller collider could" indeed positively confirm it.
Re:Nuclear physics Slashdot? (Score:5, Informative)
Posters should RTFA (Score:5, Informative)
This isn't to say that the g-2 experiment is useless; only that we shouldn't get too excited about it yet. Once things pass 3 sigma then the scientists will start to pay attention. Until then, it will just around speculation. Oh yeah, and yes, I am a particle physicist. But I'm just a lowly theorist. The experimentalists working on g-2 are down the hall.
Re:Where's my squark? (Score:4, Informative)
So do I, but then I realize that supersymmetry is a "well-conceived theory" - that is, it has enough parameter space to just about completely avoid ever being disproved.
I can't remember who it was, but at a seminar here a while ago, one of the presenters said "Supersymmetry predicts a huge number of particles... half of which have been discovered."
I was amused.