PBS Space Time Season 2018 Episode 23 Will a New Neutrino Change the Standard Model?

PBS Space Time is a popular science show that explores the mysteries of the universe and the cutting-edge science being used to unravel them. In season 2018 episode 23, titled "Will a New Neutrino Change the Standard Model?", the show delves into the fascinating world of neutrinos, the ghostly particles that are constantly flitting through our universe with little interaction with other matter.

The episode begins with a brief overview of the standard model of particle physics, which describes the fundamental particles that make up the universe and their interactions with one another. It's a remarkably successful framework that has been used to predict and explain countless observations, but it's not perfect. One of its biggest shortcomings is that it can't fully explain the behavior of neutrinos.

Neutrinos are notoriously difficult to study because they are incredibly hard to detect. They have no electric charge and interact only weakly with other matter, which means they can pass through vast amounts of material without leaving a trace. In fact, billions of neutrinos are passing through your body every second without you even realizing it! But despite their ghostly nature, scientists have made tremendous strides in studying neutrinos over the past few decades, and their discoveries have revealed some surprising and puzzling results.

One of the biggest mysteries surrounding neutrinos is their mass. According to the standard model, neutrinos should be massless, but experiments have shown that they do in fact have a tiny amount of mass. This is a major deviation from the standard model, and it has prompted scientists to search for new physics that could explain this discrepancy.

Enter the KATRIN experiment, which is the focus of this episode. KATRIN is a massive experiment located in Germany that is designed to precisely measure the mass of neutrinos. It does this by studying the decay of a radioactive isotope, which produces neutrinos as a byproduct. By measuring the energy spectrum of the electrons produced in this decay, scientists can determine the mass of the neutrinos that were emitted.

The KATRIN experiment is incredibly complex and involves a wide range of cutting-edge technologies, from superconducting magnets to ultrapure gases. In this episode, the show takes viewers behind the scenes of the experiment to see how it works and what its results could mean for the future of particle physics.

Throughout the episode, the show's hosts discuss the various implications of the KATRIN results. If the experiment confirms the previous measurements of neutrino mass, it could be a sign that new physics beyond the standard model is necessary to explain the behavior of neutrinos. This could have far-reaching implications for the field of particle physics and could lead to new discoveries that help us better understand the universe around us.

Overall, "Will a New Neutrino Change the Standard Model?" is a fascinating and in-depth exploration of one of the most enigmatic particles in the universe. It's a must-watch for anyone interested in the cutting-edge of science and the mysteries of the cosmos.