Particle physicists did not stop searching for new particles after the discovery of the Higgs boson. The discovery of the Higgs boson at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) in 2012 was a significant milestone in particle physics, as it confirmed the existence of the Higgs field and provided a crucial missing piece of the standard model.
However, the standard model is not considered a complete theory of particle physics. It describes the known elementary particles and their interactions but leaves several questions unanswered, such as the nature of dark matter, the origin of neutrino masses, the unification of forces, and the absence of a quantum description of gravity.
Therefore, particle physicists continue to search for new particles and phenomena beyond the standard model. They explore higher energy regimes and conduct experiments to probe uncharted territories of particle physics in the hope of discovering new particles, forces, or interactions. These experiments include:
Exploration of higher energy scales: Particle accelerators like the LHC at CERN and future colliders are designed to reach higher energies, allowing scientists to probe particles and interactions at smaller length scales and potentially discover new particles or phenomena.
Dark matter searches: Numerous experiments are dedicated to detecting dark matter particles, which are thought to account for a significant portion of the universe's mass but have not been directly observed yet. These experiments involve underground detectors, indirect detection methods, and collider experiments aiming to produce and study dark matter particles.
Neutrino experiments: Neutrinos, particularly their masses and oscillation patterns, remain an active area of research. Experiments like the Super-Kamiokande, IceCube, and DUNE aim to study neutrinos and their properties to gain insights into physics beyond the standard model.
Precision measurements and rare processes: Scientists conduct precise measurements of known particles and their interactions to search for deviations from the standard model predictions. They focus on rare processes or interactions that could provide hints of new physics.
Theoretical explorations: Particle physicists also explore theoretical models that extend or go beyond the standard model to address its limitations and explain phenomena not accounted for by the current theory. These theories propose new particles, forces, or symmetries and provide guidance for experimental searches.
In summary, the discovery of the Higgs boson was a significant achievement, but it did not mark the end of the search for new particles. Particle physicists continue their exploration in the quest for a deeper understanding of the fundamental constituents of the universe and the laws governing their interactions.