For the first time, scientists have observed a rare decay of a subatomic particle called a kaon. The results suggest that this decay might occur more frequently than predicted by the Standard Model of particle physics.
Once in a very great while, an ephemeral particle called a kaon arises and then quickly decays away into three other obscure entities. Whether or not this happens in a particular way has very little bearing on most of us, who will go about our lives without knowing either way.
This decay is so rare because it requires “virtual particles.” The laws of quantum mechanics, odd as they are, allow particles to pop into being out of nothing and quickly disappear again. Sometimes these virtual particles arise as one particle is transforming into another—and change the course of the decay. For instance, when kaons decay, they very occasionally undergo interference from virtual versions of thebosons .
If future measurements confirm that the decay contradicts predictions, there are several possible virtual particles that could figure in.would carry something else. “It carries a force that probably could shed some light on the open questions but has no direct impact on our lives,” Buras says. Another option is a proposed particle, called a leptoquark, that could transform quarks into leptons , and vice versa.
And if these new particles truly exist, they could meddle in other rare particle decays being sought at experiments around the world. In that case, projects such as theat CERN and the Belle II and Japan Proton Accelerator Research Complex experiments in Japan should also see deviations from the Standard Model in their measurements.
Particle Physics Kaons Decay Standard Model Cosmology
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