The CMS experiment at CERN measures a key parameter of the Standard Model
The CMS collaboration at CERN presented a highly precise measurement of the effective leptonic electroweak mixing angle at the Rencontres de Moriond conference. This measurement, conducted at a hadron collider, aligns closely with the predictions of the Standard Model of particle physics. The Standard Model, renowned for its accuracy in describing particle behavior, relies on precise parameter measurements and theoretical calculations to predict phenomena before direct observation.
These precise measurements also serve as consistency checks for the model, confirming the masses of particles like the W and Z bosons and the Higgs boson. Additionally, they provide a means of exploring potential new physics beyond the Standard Model by identifying discrepancies between calculated and measured quantities.
The electroweak mixing angle, a fundamental parameter of the Standard Model, is crucial for verifying its predictions. Previous measurements from different experiments had shown discrepancies, but the CMS result helps resolve these discrepancies, indicating the precision achievable at hadron colliders like the Large Hadron Collider (LHC).
Despite the challenges posed by proton-proton collisions, such as background noise and the complexity of proton structure, the CMS experiment managed to achieve a level of precision comparable to electron-positron colliders. This breakthrough opens avenues for more precise physics studies at facilities like the High-Luminosity LHC.
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