Is CP Symmetry Violation the Key to Explaining Matter-Antimatter Imbalance?

In summary, the conversation discusses the concept of pair production and annihilation, and how they are not necessarily time-reversed processes of each other. There is also evidence of CP symmetry violation, which could explain the imbalance of matter and antimatter in the universe.
  • #1
Clever Penguin
74
20
Consider a photon undergoing pair production and turn into a particle-antiparticle pair.

Now play this in reverse, you got a particle and an antiparticle colliding to create a single photon. But in annihilation, the result is two or more photons. Violation of T symmetry?

There also seems to be evidence of CP symmetry violation: '[There have been] 32 sightings of muon neutrinos morphing into the electron flavour, compared with just 4 muon antineutrinos becoming the anti-electron variety.'

Source: (https://www.newscientist.com/articl...at-why-antimatter-didnt-blow-up-the-universe/)

Although the above observations have only reached 2 sigma, many believe that this could be the reason why there is more matter than antimatter in the universe. In order for there to be more matter than antimatter in the universe, there has to be a process that violates CP symmetry, so why is this surprising?
 
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  • #2
Clever Penguin said:
Violation of T symmetry?

No. Why do you think it is? In particular, why do you think pair production in the presence of material is the time-reversed process of annihilation in the vacuum?
 
  • #3
Clever Penguin said:
Consider a photon undergoing pair production and turn into a particle-antiparticle pair.
This never happens due to conservation of momentum. There is always either another photon or a massive particle involved.
 
  • #4
Vanadium 50 said:
No. Why do you think it is? In particular, why do you think pair production in the presence of material is the time-reversed process of annihilation in the vacuum?
Because they are the opposite process to each other. Like integration and differentiation. If I was to integrate 'backwards' it would be differentiation. :smile:
Dale said:
This never happens due to conservation of momentum. There is always either another photon or a massive particle involved.
I see. :smile:
 
  • #5
Clever Penguin said:
Because they are the opposite process to each other.

Why do you think they are? Let me repeat, with emphasis:

"why do you think pair production in the presence of material is the time-reversed process of annihilation in the vacuum?"
 
  • #6
Vanadium 50 said:
Why do you think they are? Let me repeat, with emphasis:

"why do you think pair production in the presence of material is the time-reversed process of annihilation in the vacuum?"

I see they are not... ?:)
 

1. What is CPT symmetry and how does it relate to violations?

CPT symmetry, or charge-parity-time symmetry, is a fundamental principle in physics that states that the laws of physics should be the same when particles are replaced with their antiparticles (charge symmetry), when left and right are swapped (parity symmetry), and when time runs backwards (time symmetry). Violations of CPT symmetry occur when these transformations do not result in identical physical laws.

2. How do scientists detect violations of CPT symmetry?

One way to detect violations of CPT symmetry is through precision measurements of particle properties, such as mass and spin. If the properties of particles and antiparticles are found to be different, it could indicate a violation of CPT symmetry.

3. What are some potential consequences of violations of CPT symmetry?

If CPT symmetry is found to be violated, it could have significant implications for our understanding of the fundamental laws of physics. It could also lead to a better understanding of why the universe is made up of matter rather than antimatter.

4. Are there any known violations of CPT symmetry?

Currently, there are no confirmed violations of CPT symmetry. However, there is ongoing research and experiments being conducted to search for any potential violations.

5. How important is studying violations of CPT symmetry in modern physics?

Studying violations of CPT symmetry is crucial in modern physics as it could provide insights into the most fundamental laws governing our universe. It also has implications for areas such as particle physics, cosmology, and quantum mechanics.

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