The
magnetic moment of the proton has been measured more openly and with more accuracy
than ever before. If this looks like the kind of thing that would only electrify
physicists, then you might want to consider this: it might help to clarify how
we all came to be here. One of the utmost mysteries of physics nowadays is why
we are not continually in risk of being wiped out by some giant ball of
antimatter. Maximum models of the universe's creation propose that equal
amounts of matter and antimatter should have been prepared in the big bang. Though,
since these two conquer each other in with a major discharge of energy every
time they come in contact a cosmos comprising equal amounts of the two would be
scattered with rapid explosions. And yet, here we are. While portions of the answer
have been established, few physicists consider we have the full explanation.
Image Credit: NASA
One
of the vital features of the solving the question is understanding the essential
properties of particles such as the proton. If the similar can be finished for
the antiproton, and subtle variances revealed, we may be able to work out why
there is so far more matter in the universe than antimatter.
One
of these vital properties is the magnetic moment, that is the amount to which
it is influenced by an outside magnetic field. Andrea Mooser of Mainz
University says"Protons are like tiny rod magnets. They have a magnetic
moment 24 magnitudes – equal to one millionth of a billionth of a billionth –
weaker than a typical compass needle,”
To
measure the moment Mooser and coauthors used a binary Penning trap. One trap
measured the proton's spin-quantum jumps whereas the other lead frequency
measurements. Mooser says “This is the first time we have been able to measure
anything on this scale," The total of 2.792847350μN has been distributedin Nature and is 760 times as accurate as previous direct measurements and
three times more exact than the best indirect measurement. Penning traps are used by researchers to
measure the magnetic moments of electrons and positrons (also known as anti-electrons).
But, with a magnetic moment 660 times lesser than an electron, protons are a
more challenging matter. The earlier best approximation of the proton's
magnetic moment originated from a 1972 study of the hyper-fine structure of
atomic hydrogen. As this required improvements founded on theoretical models,
its accuracy is limited.
Scientists
at CERN are organizing to achieve corresponding experiments on antiprotons. The
authors propose that the use of their technique could advance the current best
value for antiproton spin by a factor of “at least 1000”. If the magnetic
moment of the antiproton is similar the proton the search for a description of
the inequity in the universe will have to look somewhere else. Nevertheless, if
a variance, however minor, is found we will have a vital sign to the secret.
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