Definition

1. Noun:
   • A theoretical physics concept: Supersymmetry is a principle in particle physics that proposes a relationship between two basic classes of elementary particles: bosons (which carry forces) and fermions (which make up matter). It posits that for every known particle, there exists a "superpartner" particle with different spin properties.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The search for evidence of supersymmetry is a major goal of experiments at the Large Hadron Collider.
  • If supersymmetry is correct, we should eventually discover a whole new set of particles.
  • The elegance of the mathematical framework supporting supersymmetry attracts many theoretical physicists.

Advanced Usage

• "broken supersymmetry": A state where the symmetry is not exact at the low energy scales we can observe, explaining why superpartners have not yet been detected.
  • Most realistic models require broken supersymmetry to match our observations of the universe.
• "supersymmetry breaking": The process or mechanism by which the perfect symmetry is lost, giving the proposed superpartners very high masses.
  • The scale of supersymmetry breaking is a critical unknown in the theory.

Variants and Related Words

• Supersymmetric (adj): Relating to or having the property of supersymmetry.
  • The equations become much more elegant in a supersymmetric theory.
• Superpartner (n): The hypothetical particle associated with a known standard model particle under supersymmetry (e.g., a "squark" is the superpartner of a quark).
  • The photino is the postulated superpartner of the photon.

Synonyms

• SUSY (acronym): A common abbreviation for supersymmetry used in physics literature.

Related Concepts (Not Phrasal Verbs or Idioms)

• Grand Unified Theory (GUT): A theory attempting to unify fundamental forces, for which supersymmetry is often a proposed component.
• Standard Model: The established theory of particle physics that supersymmetry aims to extend.
• Dark matter candidate: One motivation for supersymmetry is that the lightest superpartner could explain the universe's dark matter.

Noun

1. (physics) a theory that tries to link the four fundamental forces
   • according to supersymmetry each force emerged separately during the big bang