Scientists reveal the secret of the “ghost particle”

Researchers working in Germany in the Karlsruhe experiment discovered the tritium neutrino (Kathrin), after studies, the smallest mass of the neutrino, which is a particle that has no electric charge and is able to interact with other particles through gravity Weak nuclear force.

Although there is an exact block for “ghost particleAccording to the results found, scientists will be able to improve the physical models of being🇧🇷

Scientists who were researching this topic came to the figure of 1.6 x 10 kg. This value is very small when analyzing hydrogen isotopes in the decomposed state.

In the study , Scientists Measurement of the energy distribution of electrons released during beta decay of tritium.

This measurement is not very precise, but it makes it easier to understand the role neutrinos play in the universe and their influence on theories of physics today, given their properties.

Why “ghost particles”?

You are neutrinos It is one of the most abundant subatomic particles in the universe; However, in rare cases, they do interact with ordinary matter.

According to these properties, they end up becoming more difficult to detect, and as a result of this fact, they have earned the nickname “ghost particles”.

To find these small particles, only indirect detection methods are used that are able to detect the effects of passing neutrinos.

The mass and energy of the particle and the antiparticle are the same. It is very difficult to measure the mass of neutrinos. So, to verify this data, Catherine takes advantage of the beta decay of tritium, which is an unstable radioactive isotope of hydrogen.

You are Physicists We realize that a particle and its antiparticle emit the same mass and energy. Therefore, if the energy of electrons is measured, it is also possible to find the energy of neutrinos.

In this way, the researchers were able to reach the figure of 1.6 x 10 kg.

As mentioned, although the number found is not an exact mass, physicists Magnus Schlosser (Karlsruhe Institute of Technology) and Susanne Mertens (Max Planck Institute for Physics) stated that they are happy with the result.

This is because it will allow scientists to improve physical models of the universe.

However, the researchers Those involved will continue to take neutrino measurements until the end of 2024, in order to be more certain.