THE neutrinosthe more elusive particles and at the same time the more abundant of the universe, they are the spy of the fact that Something is missing from the standard modelthe reference theory of modern physics. “In the last 25 years, 3 Nobel prizes have concerned neutrinos and this already gives the sign of their importance,” Mauro Mezzetto, research manager of the National Institute of Nuclear Physics of Padua, tells Ansa.
“The last was assigned in 2015 for the discovery of Neutrine oscillationswhich show that these particles have mass. But the standard model, as it is, does not include mass for neutrinos, therefore – notes – there must be particles that we still do not know: We need new physics“.
That’s why the future of research in this field occupies a fundamental part within theOpen Symposium Of Venicewhich in these days sees The entire European community of particles To discuss the Strategy of the next few years. “Here in Venice all the experiments at the highest levels are represented – comments the FN physicist – So the discussion is very different from a normal conference where you find yourself only among physicists, it is at a different and extremely interesting level”.
The experiments are focusing in particular on Two themes: on the one hand theasymmetry between matter and antimatter which we observe in the universe and that i neutrines could help explainon the other the detection of Cosmic neutriniwhich bring very important information on the star processes. “In the first case – says Mezzetto – in the next 3-5 years they will start 3 great experiments in United Statesin Japan and in Chinato which theEurope el ‘Italy participate importantly with 40-50% of researchers“.
As for the Cosmic neutriniInstead, Two telescopes are already operational and will come further enhanced In the next few years: one is in Italy and is Km3netan underwater structure off Sicily the result of an international collaboration in which the Infn participates, which in February 2025 announced the capture of the most energy neutrino ever seen; the other telescope is Icecubewhich is located under the ice of Antarctica and has been in operation for about 10 years. “They are two complementary experiments – concludes Mezzetto – since they are in different hemispheres”.
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I am a journalist with over 6 years of experience working in the news industry. I currently work as an author for Global Happenings, and my coverage focuses on Technology news. I have written for various publications, including Reuters, The New York Times and The Guardian.
