Medium Energy Physics (MEP) | Argonne National Laboratory

Probing the quark-gluon structure of matter, and probing for new physics beyond the Standard Model.

The Medium Energy Physics (MEP) group has a multifaceted program consisting of three main pillars: the study of hadronic matter in terms of fundamental particles and interactions, the emergence of nuclear structure, and a search for signatures of physics beyond the Standard Model of particle physics. The MEP group has a proven track record of leadership in conceiving and executing novel, high-impact nuclear physics experiments through the development and exploitation of cutting-edge technologies in line with the mission of DOE-NP.

Research Area

Hadronic Physics

The focus of Argonne’s hadron physics to understand how the strong force gives rise to the mass, spin and dynamic structure of protons and neutrons, which make up almost all visible matter in our universe.

Research Area

Neutrinoless Double Beta Decay

The observation of neutrinoless double-beta decay would profoundly impact our understanding of the matter-antimatter mystery.

Research Area

Quantum Chromodynamics in Nuclei

Understanding the nucleus in terms of their fundamental constituents in Quantum Chromodynamics: quarks and gluons, and the mechanisms and emergent properties of the strong interaction.

Research Area

The SoLID Experiment

The unprecedented combination of luminosity and acceptance, made possible with the SoLID apparatus in Hall A, will unlock access to physics processes that cannot be measured anywhere else.

Research Area

Physics Beyond the Standard Model

Argonne’s Physics Division conducts precision experiments aimed at testing the fundamental symmetries inherent in the basic laws of physics. In their core, these experiments search for signatures of phenomena that lie beyond the Standard Model of physics.

Leading state-of-the-art experiments at Jefferson Lab, Fermilab, and facilities abroad.
Search for LHCb charm-pentaquark in photoproduction experiment with unprecedented precision.
Conducting a world-leading program to study the emergence of the proton’s mass at Jefferson Lab and EIC.
Towards a first-ever true 3D image of a dense nucleus with the upcoming ALERT program.
Perform groundbreaking in-house experiments to investigate the matter-antimatter mystery using laser-cooled and trapped radium atoms/molecules.
Demonstrated first-ever high magnetic field performance of superconducting nanowire single-photon detectors.
Our broad strategic investments ensure continued leadership in the next generation of experiments: EIC, SoLID at Jefferson Lab, neutrinoless double beta decay, QIS, and AI for NP.

Understand how the strong force gives rise to the mass, spin, and dynamic structure of protons and neutrons, which make up almost all visible matter in our universe.
Study the mechanisms and emergent properties of nuclei in terms of their fundamental constituents: quarks and gluons.
Look for signatures of physics beyond the Standard Model--crucial to explain the existence of our matter-dominated universe.
Perform critical detector R&D enabling next-generation experiments to operate in harsh, high-luminosity environments.
Capitalize on Argonne’s natural affinity for HPC to develop software for next-generation NP experiments.

Our Group