Description:

Jeff Berryman -- Flavor in and Beyond the Standard Model

Abstract: 

Despite it's predictive success, the Standard Model of particle physics possesses some unattractive features. Not the least of these is the existence of three copies – frequently called "flavors" –  of each of the known matter particles, having widely disparate masses but being otherwise identical. While the interplay between these particles is understood phenomenologically, a satisfying description of the underlying, fundamental physics has remained elusive for 50 years; this problem is known as The Flavor Puzzle. In this talk, I will discuss the role of flavor in the Standard Model, and I will present some of the approaches that have been adopted to try and unravel the mystery of flavor.

Pizza will be available for $2/slice.