Project description
A super-precise measurement approach could solve the mystery of muon’s magnetism
A muon is a heavier and unstable version of the electron. Whereas measurements of the anomalous magnetic moment of the electron conform to our theoretical predictions, those of the muon tell a different story, thereby challenging the Standard Model of particle physics. In 2021, Fermilab researchers estimated that the difference between theoretical and experimental measurements grew to a level quantified as 4.2 sigma, suggesting that unknown particles are causing the muon to behave differently than expected. The ERC-funded MUON project intends to use a fundamental theoretical approach – lattice quantum chromodynamics – to determine muon’s magnetic moment with higher accuracy.
Objective
"On 4/7/2021 the Fermilab announced the result of a two decade long investigation to determine the magnetic moment of the muon. By tradition, data-driven theoretical methods have been used for 50 years to calculate this magnetic moment. But, interestingly, in the last 20 years growing discrepancies were noted between theoretical and experimental findings. In the literature, the result obtained by using the data-driven method is called the consensus value"" - and it is 4.2 sigma away from the combined experimental result. This 4.2-sigma discrepancy was interpreted by many physicists as a sign for new physics with a new and unknown force - and hundreds of papers appeared in the last few months to explain the 4.2-sigma tension by some form of new physics. For theoreticians this is an extremely exciting situation because even better experimental results are expected in the next 1 to 5 years, which might further increase the tension between experiment and theory. I propose a completely different and much more fundamental theoretical approach: lattice Quantum Chromodynamics (QCD). Within this new approach I can reach better accuracies than those of the traditional approach. Furthermore, my innovative approach uses far less experimental inputs, reducing the effects of uncertainties associated with input. The objective of the present application is to show unambiguously that either (a) there is no new force, that the experimental results are actually in agreement with the Standard Model of particle physics or (b) confirm the existence of new physics with a high confidence level. To that end a very large-scale lattice Quantum Chromodynamics approach will be applied using supercomputers to yield the muon's magnetic moment with the unprecedented precision of 10(up-10) level of accuracy. The success of this project will open a new window for high precision lattice Quantum Chromodynamics and put a final word on the two decade old mystery around the muon's magnetic moment."
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
- natural sciences physical sciences theoretical physics particle physics leptons
- engineering and technology electrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineering electronic engineering computer hardware supercomputers
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Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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HORIZON.1.1 - European Research Council (ERC)
MAIN PROGRAMME
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Topic(s)
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Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
HORIZON-ERC - HORIZON ERC Grants
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Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) ERC-2021-ADG
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Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
52428 JULICH
Germany
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.