Recently, Hungarian scientists discovered an anomalous phenomenon as a result of one of the experiments. During the decay of beryllium nuclei, they obtained a particle whose mass and behavior cannot be explained by the standard physical model.
Anomalous particle
In early 2016, a subsequent collaborative study with a group of American scientists was published in the prestigious journal Physical Review Letters. After studying the behavior of the particle, the scientists created a mathematical model that complements the standard model. According to scientists, this model could explain the existence and properties of dark matter in the future. They even hope for the first hint of a fifth fundamental particle interaction.
Standard model
There are four fundamental "forces of nature" that are more accurately called fundamental forces: electromagnetism, gravity, strong nuclear force, and weak nuclear force. According to the standard model, all forces other than gravitational forces interact with each other. This prompts scientists to strive to find a new, fifth fundamental force of interaction that could allow direct observation of dark matter.
Promotional video:
The published experiment was not enough to prove the existence of a new interaction. An abnormal phenomenon today can be caused by a new particle of matter or by a massless causative agent of an unknown interaction.
Conducted experiment
The experiment was carried out at the Hungarian Science Academy by scientists who have long been searching for "dark photons" - particles that interact with dark matter. The anomaly in the nuclear decay of beryllium observed during the experiment turned out to be a particle with a mass 30 times greater than an electron.
If this particle has the ability to provoke new interactions, then the discovery could be revolutionary. Not only will the predicted "fifth force" be revealed, but this force could potentially unite known interactions and dark matter. Such a combination will significantly expand our understanding of the Universe and the physical processes taking place in it.
Of course, one experiment and a theoretical model is not enough to believe in the existence of a new fundamental interaction. There is still a lot of research and experimentation to be done, and a new theory that combines the standard model and the new force must be formulated. Fortunately, the anomalous particle is relatively stable and can be directly observed by most interested scientists.