Status of the MUonE experiment

16 Aug 2022, 17:35
25m

Speaker

Riccardo Nunzio Pilato (University and INFN Pisa)

Description

The latest measurement of the muon g-2 announced at Fermilab exhibits a 4.2$\sigma$ discrepancy from the currently accepted Standard Model prediction. The main source of uncertainty on the theoretical value is represented by the leading order hadronic contribution $a_{\mu}^{HLO}$, which is traditionally determined through a data-driven dispersive approach. A recent calculation of $a_{\mu}^{HLO}$ based on lattice QCD is in tension with the dispersive evaluation, and weakens the discrepancy between theory and experiment to 1.5$\sigma$. An independent crosscheck of $a_{\mu}^{HLO}$ is thus required to solve this tension and consolidate the theoretical prediction. The MUonE experiment proposes a novel approach to determine $a_{\mu}^{HLO}$ by measuring the running of the electromagnetic coupling constant in the space-like region, via $\mu-e$ elastic scattering. The measurement will be performed by scattering a 160 GeV muon beam, currently available at CERN's North Area, on the atomic electrons of a low-Z target. A Test Run on a reduced detector is planned to validate this proposal. The status of the experiment in view of the Test Run will be presented.

Category talk

Primary author

Riccardo Nunzio Pilato (University and INFN Pisa)

Presentation materials