Scientists have detected particle interactions at the smallest distance explored so far, using data from an experiment at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC). The scale is described as 100 billion times smaller than an atom and has been nicknamed the zeptoverse by some physicists.

The research, led by scientists based in Cambridge, examined the debris from high-energy collisions in the LHC. Researchers focused on beauty quarks, subatomic particles that decay into other forms after about one and a half trillionths of a second. Despite their brief existence, the team detected them interacting with other tiny particles at a distance of roughly a billion-trillionth of a metre.

The finding could help researchers investigate dark matter. Although its gravitational effects indicate that it exists, dark matter has not otherwise been detected. Some theories suggest that particles at these extremely small scales could be more sensitive to its influence, potentially affecting how quarks interact and decay.

The result does not itself establish the presence of dark matter. Researchers say that further data could help them search for new particles. Dr Harry Cliff of the University of Cambridge, who led the analysis, described the work as “knocking on the door” of the zeptoverse and said more data would be needed to explore it further.

The 28 countries involved in the project have agreed to a £150 million upgrade to the LHCb detector, which is intended to increase the frequency of the observed decays tenfold. However, the UK Research and Innovation agency has said it is withdrawing its share of funding for the planned upgrade as part of cuts affecting several particle physics and astronomy projects.

Prof Tim Gershon, who leads the LHCb collaboration, warned that the UK’s full participation in the research could be in doubt. He said the country risked missing major discoveries and the opportunity to train young researchers. Dr Mary Richardson-Slipper, a member of the discovery team, said she was considering jobs abroad because she saw more opportunities there.

UKRI said it remained a fully engaged member of CERN and its second-largest funder, contributing around £175 million a year. The agency said it had taken forward other infrastructure investments, while noting that funding applications exceeded the available budget.

Sources: BBC News UK.