A Cornell University physicist is among an international group of researchers recognized with one of science’s most prestigious honors for advancing the understanding of fundamental particles.
Lawrence Gibbons, a professor of physics in Cornell’s College of Arts and Sciences, was part of the collaboration awarded the 2026 Breakthrough Prize in Fundamental Physics for work on the muon g-2 experiment.
The project, involving teams at CERN, Brookhaven National Laboratory, and the U.S. Department of Energy’s Fermilab, focuses on measuring the behavior of the muon — a subatomic particle similar to an electron but much heavier. Scientists have long studied the muon’s magnetic properties to test the limits of the Standard Model, the framework that explains how fundamental particles interact.
Recent findings suggest the muon’s behavior may deviate from predictions, raising the possibility of undiscovered particles or forces. Researchers say achieving that level of insight required unprecedented precision, with measurements refined to 127 parts per billion.
Gibbons played a key role in that effort, leading a team that developed hardware capable of tracking and analyzing billions of muons. The technology was installed at Fermilab’s particle storage ring, where the experiment collected data over several years.
He said the award highlights the importance of high-precision measurements in pushing the boundaries of physics and understanding the nature of matter, including questions surrounding dark matter.
Looking ahead, Gibbons is preparing to lead another experiment aimed at studying the rapid decay of pions, another type of subatomic particle, as researchers continue probing the fundamental building blocks of the universe.
The Breakthrough Prize, established in 2012, recognizes major contributions to scientific knowledge and is awarded annually to researchers working on some of the most complex questions in physics.
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