Comunicazione
Testing the Pauli Exclusion Principle with the VIP-2 experiment and beyond.
De Paolis L.
The Pauli Exclusion Principle (PEP) is a fundamental pillar of Quantum Field Theory, explaining various phenomena ranging from the stability of matter to the existence of neutron stars to superconductivity. PEP violation may be connected to theories beyond the Standard Model. The VIP-2 experiment, presently installed at the Underground Gran Sasso Laboratory (LNGS), aims to perform high-precision tests of the PEP for electrons in copper atoms. The experimental method consists in circulating a DC current in a copper strip, searching PEP forbidden $2p\rightarrow 1s$ transition (occurring when two electrons already occupy the $1S$ level) with cutting-edge X-ray spectroscopy. The LNGS underground laboratories provide a clean background environment, ideal for precision measurements of rare X-ray processes. In 2011, the VIP experiment set the best upper limit on the PEP violation probability for electrons $\frac{1}{2}\beta^2 < 4.7 \times10^{-29}$. The VIP-2 experiment aims to improve this result by two orders of magnitude at least. The VIP-2 theory, purposes and apparatus will be presented. A new improved upper limit on the PEP violation probability will be presented.