The precision measurement of the W boson mass and its impact on physics

As a mediator of the weak nuclear force, the W boson influences many properties of fundamental particles and their interactions. Understanding the W boson as accurately as possible, including knowing its mass, has been a priority in particle physics for decades. In the past few years, in a succession of increasing-precision measurements by multiple experiments, a significant tension between the measured and predicted mass has been documented by the CDF Collaboration. Furthermore, smaller differences between different measurements exist. Because the W boson mass provides a window on new physics, a comparison between different measurement techniques can inform the path to further investigations. This Perspective article overviews the role of the W boson mass in the Standard Model of Particle Physics and its extensions, compares and contrasts its measurement techniques and discusses prospects and future directions.

Duke Scholars

Author Ashutosh V. Kotwal Physics