Scientists have detected interactions at the smallest distances ever probed, a realm dubbed the "zeptoverse." This breakthrough could lead to the detection of dark matter, a mysterious substance that constitutes a significant portion of the cosmos but has remained largely invisible.
Researchers achieved this by smashing particles together at high energy and studying the resulting sub-atomic particles, specifically the beauty quark. This particle is highly unstable, decaying within a fraction of a second. Despite its fleeting existence, scientists were able to observe its interaction with other particles at a scale of one billion-trillionth of a meter.
Some theoretical models suggest that particles at this incredibly small scale are more susceptible to the influence of dark matter. By observing how quarks interact and decay in this environment, scientists hope to gain insights into dark matter's nature. "We're knocking on the door of this zeptoverse," said Dr. Harry Cliff, a physicist at Cambridge University who led the analysis of the data, in a statement to BBC News. He added that this observation offers a unique perspective on the behavior of potential new particles, and that further data is needed to explore this domain.
The achievement comes amid concerns about funding for fundamental physics research. Some early-career researchers involved in the discovery are reportedly considering opportunities abroad due to perceived cuts in the UK's physics funding. Professor Brian Cox, a particle researcher and television presenter, described the result as "important" but criticized recent decisions to cut UK funding for the CERN project, warning of potential damage to the UK's international scientific reputation.
The UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) stated that it remains a major funder of CERN and has invested in new infrastructure projects, though not all funding applications could be supported due to high demand.