High-energy physics is a field of research focused on developing models to describe fundamental particles and their interactions. The model used in virtually all of particle physics is called, rather uncreatively, the Standard Model.
TheStandard Modelof elementary particles is a quantum field theory that studies fundamental particles and interactions. The Standard Model includes three of the four known fundamental interactions: the electromagnetic, strong nuclear, and weak nuclear interactions. The fourth interaction, gravity, has virtually no effect on quantum processes, so it is not studied in the Standard Model.
Part of the academic staff at the Saphir Millennium Institute works specifically on testing and refining the Standard Model, expanding its scope, and developing the computational tools needed to analyze the enormous amount of data produced by particle collision experiments. In particular, they develop computational tools to analyze the data generated by the Atlas experiment at the Large Hadron Collider.
The Standard Model of elementary particles has been tested countless times and has almost always proven to be accurate. However, since it does not incorporate gravity and has some discrepancies (for example, regarding neutrinos), many research teams are working to develop a theory that more accurately describes the laws of physics. Image credits:Buckminsterfullerene C60. Source:Wikimedia Commons.
Physics beyond the standard model
The vast majority of experiments in particle physics show that the standard model is robust and generates very accurate predictions of what happens at the subatomic level. However, the fact that it does not include gravity and that it is unable to explain some phenomena (such as the mass of neutrinos) has led several research teams to develop proposals for theories that go beyond the standard model. This is also what part of the research team at the Saphir Millennium Institute is dedicated to: exploring and proposing new theories that satisfactorily explain all the properties and interactions of elementary particles.