Description du projet
Une précision inégalée et les énergies les plus faibles pourraient nous mener au-delà du modèle standard
Le modèle standard (SM) de la physique des particules est tout sauf «standard». Il s’agit de notre meilleure «théorie du tout» à ce jour, qui englobe les particules de matière et les particules porteuses de force qui expliquent la structure et les interactions de notre univers. Le SM a des limites connues et acceptées, et c’est en comblant ces lacunes que l’on découvre la physique au-delà du SM. Pour accéder à ces pièces manquantes du puzzle, il faudra étudier la matière et les forces dans des conditions extrêmes, aux énergies les plus faibles et avec la plus grande précision. C’est exactement ce que fait le projet FunI, financé par l’UE, qui exploite les nouvelles techniques de préparation et de refroidissement des ions développées par son équipe pour réaliser des expériences sur des ions uniques d’une précision inégalée.
Objectif
The four fundamental interactions and their symmetries, the fundamental constants as well as the properties of elementary particles like masses and moments, determine the basic structure of the universe and are the basis for our so well tested Standard Model (SM) of physics. Performing stringent tests on these interactions and symmetries in extreme conditions at lowest energies and with highest precision by comparing e.g. the properties of particles and their counterpart, the antiparticles, will allow us to search for physics beyond the SM. Any improvement of these tests beyond their present limits will require novel experimental techniques. To this end, we propose ambitious Penning-trap based single-ion experiments and measurements of magnetic moments and atomic masses to substantially improve the to-date best limits on some of the key SM predictions. While the measurement technique in determining the eigenfrequencies of the stored particles with unprecedented precision will be identical to the technique used in the past ERC grant by the PI (MEFUCO - MEasurements of FUndamental COnstants), the novel ion preparation and cooling techniques to be developed as well as the physics questions to be addressed are completely different. The new findings will enable us to perform stringent tests of fundamental symmetries like charge-parity-time reversal symmetry (CPT theorem) with (anti)protons or of the energy-mass equivalence principle as well as tests of interactions like quantum electrodynamics in strong fields by using highly charged ions. This will enable us to set new limits on SM predictions or even to reveal their failures. To meet these challenges, advanced charge breeding and cooling techniques will make it possible for us to achieve among other advances a ten-fold improved test of E = mc2, and thus of Einstein’s special theory of relativity and the most stringent CPT test in the baryonic sector by comparing the magnetic moments of the proton and the antiproton.
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ERC-ADG - Advanced GrantInstitution d’accueil
80539 Munchen
Allemagne