High Energy Physics Seminar -Janet Conrad (Massachusetts Institute of Technology) "Neutrino Physics in Interesting Times"

Scientific discovery in any field runs in cycles. Science historian Thomas Kuhn described this as an oscillation between “normal science,” when we attack problems within a shared framework, and “paradigm shifts,” when that shared viewpoint is shattered and many new approaches emerge, redefining the field.

These non-linear shifts, he argued, are driven by the accumulation of anomalies.This raises an interesting question: as a scientist, which part of this cycle is more motivating? In this talk, I will explore that question in the context of neutrino physics.

I will argue that we are well past the breakthroughs of the early 2000s and are now in a phase of rising anomalies. I will discuss why our current approaches make it difficult to leap forward—an observation that applies to any field at this stage of the cycle.

I will introduce IsoDAR, an entirely new type of neutrino experiment. We are taking the power of accelerators, usually built on plains, to below the mountains, where large neutrino detectors are constructed with high cosmic-ray shielding—a design tha is a first for our field.

IsoDAR is one example among many emerging approaches that could lead us toward the next paradigm shift. It is also an example of how paradigm shifts in fundamental science can drive cycle shifts in applied science too: the IsoDAR accelerator can produce record rates of much needed isotopes for medical imaging.

The best times in science are the interesting times.