News Particle Physics

Physicists just discovered the rarest particle decay ever

The “golden channel” decay of kaons could put the standard model of particle physics to the test

A long, cylindrical particle physics experiment is show in a wide-angle image.

The NA62 experiment (shown) has detected an extremely rare decay of particles called kaons.

M. Brice/CERN

By Emily Conover

It’s the rarest particle decay ever discovered. Scientists have clinched the case for a special type of decay of subatomic particles called kaons. Further study of the rare decay could reveal a potential flaw in the standard model, physicists’ stalwart theory of subatomic particles.

The decay is known as a “golden channel” because its rate can be predicted to high precision by the standard model.

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