Nick Huggett - The Highs and Lows of Particle Physics (work with Mike Schneider)

Nick Huggett (University of Illinois, Chicago)

The Center for Philosophy of Science at the University of Pittsburgh invites you to join us for our Lunch Time Talk. Attend in person at 1117 Cathedral of Learning or visit our live stream on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrRp47ZMXD7NXO3a9Gyh2sg.

LTT:  Nick Huggett

Friday, October 27th @ 12:00 pm - 1:30 pm EST

Title:  The Highs and Lows of Particle Physics (work with Mike Schneider)

Abstract:

Recent work on the philosophy of high-energy physics experiments has considerably advanced our understanding of their epistemology, for instance, concerning measurements by the ATLAS collaboration at the large hadron collider (Beauchemin 2017). In this talk I aim to highlight and analyze complementary low energy ‘tabletop’ experiments in particle (and other kinds of fundamental) physics. In particular, I contrast ATLAS measurements with high precision measurements of the electron magnetic moment. We find, for instance, that the simplicity of the latter experiment allows for uncertainties to be minimized materially, in the very construction of the apparatus; it promises to probe new ‘regimes’ of physics found in ‘increased significant figures’ rather than higher energies. We finally suggest that a better appreciation of the capacities of such comparatively ‘frugal’ experiments broadens our conception of ‘cutting edge’ physics, and ultimately helps to inform value judgments about possible research programs in the field.

This talk will also be available live streamed on:

Zoom at https://pitt.zoom.us/j/94644070927

YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrRp47ZMXD7NXO3a9Gyh2sg.