Key Takeaways:
- Scientists spot an incredibly rare particle physics event while searching for dark matter—a “two-neutrino double electron capture” that’s eluded detection for decades.
- The event involves xenon-124’s radioactive decay, an isotope of xenon, occurring at a timescale of 18 sextillion years, a trillion times longer than the universe’s age.
- Despite aiming to detect dark matter, the XENON1T detector captured this unique decay, demonstrating its sensitivity to rare physics events.
- Observations didn’t uncover dark matter, but they shed light on neutrinos, opening possibilities for further fundamental particle research.
- The team’s future plans involve using the updated XENONnT detector to continue the quest for dark matter, constituting around 26.8% of the universe’s content.
In a groundbreaking leap in dark matter exploration, scientists have uncovered an unprecedented particle physics occurrence, marking a milestone in the pursuit of understanding the enigmatic realms of the universe.
Published in Nature, the remarkable revelation by the XENON Collaboration showcases the observation of a profoundly rare event—a “two-neutrino double electron capture.” This event, involving the radioactive decay of xenon-124, an isotope of the element xenon, has remained elusive, evading detection by scientists for an extensive period.
The intricate process unfolds as two protons within a nucleus undergo simultaneous conversion into neutrons by absorbing two electrons from an atomic shell, subsequently emitting two electron neutrinos.
This rare phenomenon generates a predictable cascade of X-rays and Auger electrons, detectable through an ultra-sensitive detector strategically positioned approximately 5,000 feet beneath Italy’s Gran Sasso mountain. This subterranean location serves as a shield against cosmic rays, enabling precise observations.
Professor Ethan Brown, from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and a co-author of the study, articulated the significance, stating, “We have shown that we can observe the rarest events ever recorded.” The startling revelation pertains to the previously believed stability of xenon-124, now evidenced to undergo decay across an unimaginably extended timescale.
The estimated half-life of xenon-124 astounds, calculated at approximately 18 sextillion years—surpassing the age of the universe by a trillionfold, delineating the slowest directly measured process to date, as affirmed by the research team.
Brown accentuated the marvel of witnessing this process, highlighting the detector’s capability in measuring unparalleled occurrences, acknowledging, “It’s an amazing to have witnessed this process, and it says that our detector can measure the rarest thing ever recorded.”
The XENON1T experiment, primarily designed to unveil the mysteries of dark matter, proved its versatility by facilitating this extraordinary observation. The detector’s sensitivity to minute occurrences allowed for the identification of xenon-124’s decay, a pursuit embarked upon while aiming for dark matter discovery.
Fueling this pursuit necessitated exposing the detector to a substantial volume of xenon atoms, saturating it with 3.2 tons of liquid xenon. Brown elucidated the mechanics, explaining the setup as a vast reservoir of liquid xenon encircled by light sensors, capable of detecting faint flashes of light and charge emanating from dark matter collisions or internal radioactive decay.
While the primary objective—detecting dark matter—remained unfulfilled with these observations, the findings extend beyond. Insights into neutrinos, among the universe’s least understood fundamental particles, emerge as a promising avenue for further exploration, as articulated by Christian Wittweg, a Ph.D. student at the University of Münster.
The breakthrough underscores the versatility of the XENON detector technology, opening avenues for diverse analyses beyond dark matter investigation. Despite not directly uncovering dark matter, the experiment’s results bear profound implications for fundamental particle research.
Looking ahead, the team remains resolute in their pursuit, gearing up to employ the advanced XENONnT detector to continue the quest for dark matter. The elusive substance, constituting a significant portion of the universe’s content, remains an enduring mystery compelling further scientific exploration and inquiry.
