Solvay Workshop on "Beta-Decay Weak Interaction Studies in the Era of the LHC"

Brussels, 3 - 5 September 2014

ULB - Campus Plaine - Solvay Room

Precision measurements in nuclear and neutron beta decay offer a sensitive window to probe details of the structure of the weak interaction and to test the underlying fundamental symmetries. Such measurements have turned into powerful tools to search for new physics beyond the standard electroweak model, like the signatures for right-handed weak currents, scalar and tensor type interactions and deviations from time reversal invariance. Over the years the precision reached in these experiments has steadily been improved owing to developments of new experimental techniques like the use of atom and ion traps.

At the large energy frontier, the Large Hadron Collider is running with remarkable stability and luminosity to explore new energy territories. Experiments at the LHC have already provided the discovery of the celebrated Brout-Englert-Higgs boson and allow also the search for new interactions through the direct production of new particles that could possibly also contribute to the weak interaction.

Some possible scenarios for new physics assume that the new bosons would only occur at significantly higher energies than those available at the LHC. It becomes then possible to build bridges between the high precision and the high energy frontiers in order to study the sensitivities and complementarities of the two frontiers in the search for new physics.

The aim of this workshop is to review the state of the art of beta-decay experiments and related precision measurements and to draw a sketch of what could become the main priorities of this research field in the coming years at the light of LHC results. This includes the primary physics questions, the sensitivity of observables to be addressed, the suitable experimental instrumentation, beam and sources developments as well as the required theoretical calculations and models for new physics. The discussions are expected to shape a frame for continuing providing substantial contributions in the search for new physics beyond the standard model through measurements at the precision frontier.

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