| Abstract: | Though remarkably successful, the Standard Model of particle physics leaves fundamental questions unanswered—such as the origin of neutrino masses and the nature of dark matter—fueling the search for physics beyond the Standard Model (BSM). Low-energy experiments offer a promising and cost-effective approach to these searches, yet, their success hinges on sophisticated theoretical frameworks capable of addressing the challenges of the nuclear many-body problem and high-order quantum effects.
In this talk, I will present three compelling pathways for BSM searches: forbidden beta-decays, charged-lepton flavor violation (CLFV), and dark matter (DM) detection. For each, I will clarify the open question and its origins, demonstrate how low-energy experiments can address it, identify key theoretical gaps, and introduce cutting-edge developments. I will highlight the emerging role of forbidden beta-decays as a powerful probe of exotic weak interactions and light BSM physics—revealing sensitivities inaccessible to allowed decays—now driving innovative experiments in Israel and the US. Additionally, I will discuss the discovery of missing operators in effective field theory (EFT) frameworks, unveiling new symmetries critical for interpreting CLFV and WIMP dark matter experiments, as well as ongoing research on axion-like particles in muon-to-electron conversion experiments.
This talk will connect nuclear-scale precision with grand questions of particle physics, astrophysics, and cosmology, showcasing how theoretical advancements unlock new regimes for experimental exploration. |