Since 2008, a large adron collider (LHC) has been in operation on the border of Switzerland and France, where scientists conduct experiments deep underground involving proton collisions to observe the emergence of new particles.
In 2012, the discovery of the Higgs Boson particle at the LHC was a significant breakthrough, shedding light on fundamental particles. However, this discovery also raised questions about the basic components of the universe, such as dark matter, which constitutes 27% of the mass of the universe.
Despite efforts to double the energy of the collisions and increase the amount of data collected by five times, scientists have not been able to discover new particles, including those related to dark matter. This has sparked discussions within the scientific community about a potential crisis in the field of elementary particle physics.
The standard model of particle physics, developed in the late 1970s, effectively describes known elementary particles and their interactions, except for gravity. However, it fails to address key questions regarding dark matter and the dominance of matter over antimatter.
New approaches to particle search involve utilizing data from stars, black holes, and ideas related to super-symmetry, which have yet to be confirmed in experiments. Scientists are also exploring the possibility of constructing new colliders capable of cleaner collisions at higher energies, such as an electron-positron collider or a municipal collider that could provide further insights into the fundamental forces of nature.
Efforts in the field highlight the ongoing quest by physicists to uncover the deepest mysteries surrounding the universe’s composition and the principles governing its structure, demonstrating the persistent drive of science to unravel the secrets of nature.