Project description
Muonium spectroscopy and new physics
Striking anomalies in the muon sector appeared in recent years. They include the famous anomalous muon magnetic moment (g-2), and the muonic hydrogen Lamb shift measurement that prompted the proton charge radius puzzle. Different explanations have been put forward, invoking new physics beyond the standard model. The EU-funded Mu-MASS project aims to provide a 1 000-fold improvement in the determination of the 1S-2S transition frequency of muonium, the positive-muon/electron bound state. The substantial improvement is based on the novel cryogenic muonium converters and confinement techniques developed by Mu-MASS, and on the new laser and detection schemes implemented for positronium spectroscopy. The project is essential for the effort to understand the observed discrepancies that could hint at new physics and have profound implications on our understanding of the universe.
Objective
Striking anomalies in the muon sector have accumulated in recent years: notably the famous anomalous muon magnetic moment (g-2) and the muonic hydrogen Lamb shift measurement which prompted the so-called proton charge radius puzzle. These tantalizing results triggered vibrant activity on both experimental and theoretical sides. Different explanations have been put forward including exciting solutions invoking New Physics beyond the Standard Model. To contribute to clarifying the origin of these anomalies, I propose Mu-MASS, an experiment aiming for a 1000-fold improvement in the determination of the 1S-2S transition frequency of Muonium (M), the positive-muon/electron bound state. This substantial improvement beyond the current state-of-the-art relies on the novel cryogenic M converters and confinement techniques developed by the PI, and on the new laser and detection schemes which the PI implemented for positronium spectroscopy. This experiment will be performed at the Paul Scherrer Institute (PSI).
With the Mu-MASS result our knowledge of the muon mass can be improved by almost two orders of magnitude. By using the expected results of the ongoing hyperfine splitting measurement of M in Japan, it will provide one of the most sensitive tests of bound-state Quantum Electrodynamics. It can also be used to extract the muon g-2 from the ongoing experiment at Fermilab. Since M is a unique system composed of two different leptons (point-like particles), the Mu-MASS results will provide the most stringent test of charge equality between the lepton generations. Moreover, it can be used to determine the Rydberg constant free from nuclear and finite-size effects and contribute to solving the proton charge radius puzzle. Mu-MASS is thus very timely and essential to the worldwide effort to understand the interesting observed discrepancies, which could be a hint of New Physics and therefore have profound implications on our understanding of the Universe.
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
- natural sciences physical sciences optics laser physics
- natural sciences physical sciences optics spectroscopy
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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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H2020-EU.1.1. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - European Research Council (ERC)
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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.
ERC-COG - Consolidator Grant
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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-2018-COG
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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.
8092 Zuerich
Switzerland
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.