The discovery of the Higgs boson marked the end of one era in particle physics, but it also opened up new avenues of research. One of the biggest mysteries in physics is dark matter, which is thought to make up about 85% of the universe's mass-energy density. However, it has not been directly detected yet due to its elusive nature.
Physicists believe that studying the Higgs boson could provide clues to the existence of dark matter. The Higgs boson is thought to interact with dark matter particles, and this interaction could be detected in high-energy collisions at particle accelerators like the Large Hadron Collider (LHC).
Researchers are using the LHC to create Higgs bosons and then measuring the momentum of the particles produced in the collision. If the momentum does not add up, it could indicate the presence of invisible particles like dark matter.
The ATLAS experiment at the LHC has found evidence that the Higgs boson may be decaying into invisible particles, which could be dark matter. However, more data is needed to confirm this result.
The discovery of dark matter particles could reveal a new sector of physics beyond the Standard Model and provide insights into the nature of the universe. The era of Higgs physics has just begun, and it is expected to reveal new and exciting discoveries in the years to come.
Here are the extracted facts:
1. The discovery of the Higgs boson was made in the Large Hadron Collider.
2. The discovery of the Higgs boson was the culmination of decades of work and collaboration among thousands of people.
3. The Higgs boson was the final piece needed to confirm the standard model of particle physics.
4. The standard model of particle physics cannot explain what dark matter is.
5. Many physicists believe that studying the Higgs boson could lead to the discovery of dark matter particles.
6. The matter we perceive in the universe is a small fraction of the total matter that exists.
7. Dark matter is a source of gravity that is not caused by particles of the standard model.
8. Dark matter could be a new kind of particle or a family of different particles that interact with each other but not with us.
9. There are three broad methods for detecting new particles: direct detection, indirect detection, and collider experiments.
10. Feynman diagrams are used to represent interactions of particles.
11. Direct detection experiments involve detecting particles that interact with standard model particles.
12. Indirect detection experiments involve detecting particles that are produced by the annihilation of dark matter particles.
13. Collider experiments involve detecting particles that are produced by the collision of standard model particles.
14. The Large Hadron Collider (LHC) is a powerful tool for detecting new particles.
15. The LHC has undergone major upgrades to improve its ability to produce Higgs bosons.
16. The Higgs boson is a neutral boson that could potentially interact with dark matter particles.
17. The Higgs boson is responsible for giving mass to most standard model particles.
18. Dark matter particles could get their mass from the Higgs boson.
19. The Higgs portal model is a theoretical framework for understanding the interaction between the Higgs boson and dark matter particles.
20. Conservation of momentum is a law of physics that can be used to detect invisible particles.
21. The ATLAS experiment at the LHC has been using conservation of momentum to search for dark matter particles.
22. The branching fraction is a measure of the fraction of times a Higgs boson decays into invisible particles.
23. The standard model predicts that up to 17% of Higgs bosons should decay into invisible neutrinos.
24. The ATLAS experiment has found a branching fraction of up to 26%, which could indicate the presence of new invisible particles.
25. The LHC and ATLAS are currently running again after a 3-year upgrade, and new colliders are being planned to study Higgs bosons.