A group from the Niels Bohr Institute (NBI), University of Copenhagen, has actually contributed to developing the method that makes use of neutrino data to reveal if quantum gravity exists. University of Copenhagen is one of more than 50 universities having an IceCube center for neutrino studies.Since the neutrino has no electrical charge and is nearly massless, it is undisturbed by strong and electromagnetic nuclear forces, enabling it to travel billions of lightyears through the Universe in its original state.The key concern is whether the residential or commercial properties of the neutrino are in truth completely unchanged as it travels over large ranges or if small changes are noteworthy.” If the neutrino undergoes the subtle modifications that we think, this would be the very first strong evidence of quantum gravity,” states Tom Stuttard.The Neutrino Comes in Three FlavorsTo comprehend which changes in neutrino homes the group is looking for, some background information is called for. Which of these setups we observe changes as the neutrino travels, a genuinely weird phenomenon known as neutrino oscillations.” Reference: “Search for decoherence from quantum gravity with climatic neutrinos” by The IceCube Collaboration, 26 March 2024, Nature Physics.DOI: 10.1038/ s41567-024-02436-w.
A view of the IceCube Neutrino Observatory, which is buried at depths in between 1.5 and 2.5 kilometers listed below the Antarctic ice, at the South Pole. The only noticeable equipment above the surface area is the IceCube Lab, which hosts the computers that gather data from the over 5,000 light sensing units in the ice. Credit: IceCube Collaboration/NSFUniversity of Copenhagen team adds to an Antarctic massive experiment aiming to find out if gravity also exists at the quantum level; An amazing particle able to travel undisturbed through space appears to hold the answer.Several thousand sensing units distributed over a square kilometer near the South Pole are tasked with answering among the big exceptional questions in physics: does quantum gravity exist? The sensors monitor neutrinos– particles with no electrical charge and nearly without mass– reaching the Earth from deep space. A group from the Niels Bohr Institute (NBI), University of Copenhagen, has actually added to establishing the technique that makes use of neutrino data to reveal if quantum gravity exists.” If as our company believe, quantum gravity does undoubtedly exist, this will add to unite the present two worlds in physics. Today, classical physics describes the phenomena in our normal surroundings such as gravity, while the atomic world can just be described utilizing quantum mechanics. The marriage of quantum theory and gravitation remains one of the most exceptional difficulties in fundamental physics. It would be very rewarding if we might add to that end,” says Tom Stuttard, Assistant Professor at NBI.Finally the DOM comes down into the selection where it can begin taking data. Credit: Mark Krasberg, IceCube/NSFTom Stuttard is co-author of a clinical article released today by the prestigious journal Nature Physics. The article provides outcomes from a large research study by the NBI team and American colleagues. More than 300,000 neutrinos have actually been studied. However, these are not neutrinos of the most intriguing type originating from sources in deep area. The neutrinos in this research study were produced in the Earths atmosphere, as high-energy particles from area hit Nitrogen or other particles.” Looking at neutrinos stemming from the Earths atmosphere has the practical advantage that they are without a doubt more common than their siblings from external space. We needed data from lots of neutrinos to validate our methodology. This has been achieved now. Therefore, we are prepared to go into the next phase in which we will study neutrinos from deep area,” states Tom Stuttard.Tom Stuttard, Assistant Professor at NBI. Credit: NBITraveling Undisturbed Through the EarthThe IceCube Neutrino Observatory is located next to the Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station in Antarctica. In contrast to most other astronomy and astrophysics centers, IceCube works the very best for observing area at the opposite side of the Earth, meaning the Northern hemisphere. This is since while the neutrino is completely efficient in permeating our planet– and even its hot, dense core– other particles will be stopped, and the signal is therefore much cleaner for neutrinos coming from the Northern hemisphere.The IceCube facility is operated by the University of Wisconsin-Madison, USA. More than 300 scientists from countries around the world are participated in the IceCube collaboration. University of Copenhagen is one of more than 50 universities having an IceCube center for neutrino studies.Since the neutrino has no electrical charge and is nearly massless, it is undisturbed by electromagnetic and strong nuclear forces, permitting it to take a trip billions of lightyears through the Universe in its original state.The essential concern is whether the homes of the neutrino are in reality completely the same as it takes a trip over large ranges or if tiny changes are significant.” If the neutrino goes through the subtle changes that we suspect, this would be the first strong proof of quantum gravity,” says Tom Stuttard.The Neutrino Comes in Three FlavorsTo understand which changes in neutrino residential or commercial properties the group is searching for, some background details is called for. While we describe it as a particle, what we observe as a neutrino is really three particles produced together, known in quantum mechanics as superposition. The neutrino can have three essential setups– tastes as they are termed by the physicists– which are tau, electron, and muon. Which of these setups we observe modifications as the neutrino takes a trip, a genuinely weird phenomenon called neutrino oscillations. This quantum behavior is maintained over thousands of kilometers or more, which is referred to as quantum coherence.” In most experiments, the coherence is quickly broken. However this is not thought to be triggered by quantum gravity. It is simply extremely challenging to develop ideal conditions in a laboratory. You want perfect vacuum, but somehow a few molecules manage to slip in etc. On the other hand, neutrinos are unique because they are just not impacted by matter around them, so we know that if coherence is broken it will not be due to imperfections in the man-made speculative setup,” Tom Stuttard explains.Many Colleagues Were SkepticalAsked whether the results of the research study published in Nature Physics were as expected, the researcher responds:” We find ourselves in an uncommon category of science tasks, specifically experiments for which no established theoretical structure exists. Thus, we just did not understand what to expect. Nevertheless, we understood that we might search for some of the basic homes we may expect a quantum theory of gravity to have.”” Whilst we did have hopes of seeing modifications associated with quantum gravity, the reality that we didnt see them does not leave out at all that they are genuine. When an atmospheric neutrino is identified at the Antarctic center, it will normally have traveled through the Earth. Suggesting approximately 12,700 km– a really brief distance compared to neutrinos coming from in the distant Universe. Apparently, a much longer range is needed for quantum gravity to make an effect, if it exists,” says Tom Stuttard, noting that the leading objective of the research study was to develop the method:” For years, numerous physicists doubted whether experiments could ever hope to test quantum gravity. Our analysis reveals that it is indeed possible, and with future measurements with astrophysical neutrinos, in addition to more accurate detectors being built in the coming decade, we wish to finally answer this essential question.” Reference: “Search for decoherence from quantum gravity with atmospheric neutrinos” by The IceCube Collaboration, 26 March 2024, Nature Physics.DOI: 10.1038/ s41567-024-02436-w.
