Scientists reveal mysterious experiments on new physics!

Scientists reveal mysterious experiments on new physics!

Around 180,000 euros were made available for research at Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz (JGU) in order to promote the active participation of the PRISMA+ Cluster of Excellence in international experiments. In particular, the tSPECT and Mu3e projects as well as the NEMESIS and BEYOND consortia benefit from this financing. The money comes from the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA), which aims at cutting-edge research and innovative projects. Both consortia, NEMESIS and BEYOND, combine European, American and Japanese expertise in the field of modern particle physics.

The consortium NEMESIS, which stands for “Neutron Experiments join Muon Experiments for Synergy in Investigation and Search for new physics”, aims to create synergies between neutron and muon experiments. BEYOND, on the other hand, focuses on exploring physics outside the Standard Model, especially at the high-intensity limit. The funds provided enable researchers to participate in the commissioning of tSPECT and Mu3e and to collect data directly at the Paul Scherrer Institute (PSI) in Switzerland.

Details of the experiments

The tSPECT experiment focuses on studying the lifetime of free neutrons with the aim of clarifying existing discrepancies between different measurement methods. The innovative technology makes it possible to capture ultracold neutrons without accelerating them. In this way, high precision can be achieved by generating and studying large numbers of neutrons.

The Mu3e experiment pursues the ambitious goal of discovering the forbidden decay of a muon into three electrons or positrons. A successful observation of this decay could be seen as an indication of new physics that goes beyond the currently accepted Standard Model. The researchers, including Prof. Dr. Martin Fertl and Prof. Dr. Niklaus Berger from JGU, play a crucial role in these important experiments.

The dark side: biological weapons

Parallel to the development of new technologies in particle physics, there are also dark chapters in the history of science, particularly in the field of biological and chemical weapons. Research shows that biological weapons are contagious and can spread through the environment, increasing their destructive potential. An example of this is the deadly sarin attack in the Tokyo subway in 1995, in which 12 people died and over 5,500 were injured.

Biological weapons can be produced in large quantities because bacteria can divide within 20 minutes. The moral condemnation of such weapons is crucial to prevent their use. Despite international agreements such as the Biological Weapons Convention of 1972, there are still numerous suspected cases of the development of such weapons in various countries. Historically, the use of poison in war was viewed as inhumane and was outlawed in many places.

The use of biological and chemical weapons could increase if the international community does not act decisively. Vaccinations and antibiotics are not effective against many dangerous pathogens. Increasing resistance and new bacterial strains pose major challenges to healthcare systems worldwide.

This makes it all the more important to use scientific achievements for peace and security, while at the same time critically reflecting on and combating the risks and potential dangers that can arise from unethical science.