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.

An experiment at CERN (shown) detected an extremely rare decay of subatomic 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.