Muon g-2 Experiment

The Muon g-2 experiment is a particle physics initiative designed to measure the anomalous magnetic dipole moment of the muon, a heavier cousin of the electron. This initiative is conducted at Fermilab in the United States, having previously taken place at Brookhaven National Laboratory.

Originally, the g-2 experiments were carried out at the Brookhaven National Laboratory. Significant advancements were made in the E821 experiment, which concluded in 2001. The apparatus, including the muon storage ring, was then transported to Fermilab in 2013 to further refine the measurements.

The primary aim of the Muon g-2 experiment is to measure the muon's g-factor with unprecedented precision. This experiment seeks to test the predictions of Quantum Electrodynamics (QED) and probe possible effects of new physics beyond the Standard Model.

The experiment uses a high-precision magnetic storage ring to maintain muons in a stable orbit. Muons are injected into this ring, where they circulate for a few microseconds before decaying into positrons and other particles.

The magnetic moment of the muon is measured by observing the rate of spin precession as the muons travel through the magnetic field. Detectors around the ring capture the decay products, enabling researchers to analyze the precession frequency and thus infer the muon's g-factor.

In 2021, the Muon g-2 collaboration at Fermilab published results suggesting a significant discrepancy between the experimentally measured value and the theoretical prediction based on the Standard Model. This discrepancy has fueled speculation about possible new particles or interactions that are not accounted for in existing theories.

The latest results in 2023 have continued to confirm this anomaly, providing even more precise measurements that strengthen the case for new physics. The findings have prompted a range of theoretical and experimental investigations aimed at understanding the underlying cause of the observed discrepancy.

Related Topics

• Brookhaven National Laboratory
• Fermilab
• Muon
• Standard Model
• Quantum Electrodynamics
• Anomalous Magnetic Dipole Moment

Methodology