Physics Graduate Student Symposium | The MUSE Experiment and Proton Radius Puzzle

In 2010, a novel method of spectroscopic measurements on muonic hydrogen resulted in a 4% smaller proton radius than previously observed, and at an order of magnitude improvement in precision. This measurement, and a second in 2013, established the so-called "Proton Radius Puzzle". Now, the MUSE collaboration will simultaneously measure, for the first time, electron and muon scattering of both polarities from a liquid hydrogen target. In this talk, I will survey the physics of the Proton Radius Puzzle, introduce how the proton radius is measured in scattering and spectroscopic experiments, and discuss how the MUSE experiment will fill an important gap in the proton radius data.

Talks will be given each Wednesday and will be 30 minutes in length, with time after for questions. Lunch will be served at 11:45 and talks will begin at 12:00. Unless otherwise noted, they will be held in 340 West Hall.