Particle Physics podcasts

Benjamin Thompson and Elizabeth Gibney discuss an experiment trapping a single positron and how precise measurements could probe differences between matter and antimatter. The episode then turns to JAXA’s mission to Phobos, including the challenge of operating a wheeled rover under extremely low gravity. These conversations connect laboratory tests of fundamental physics with the engineering and scientific aims of planetary exploration.

Hamish Johnston is joined by Oxford neutrino physicist Kirsty Duffy and Physics World's Matin Durrani to discuss the 2026 physics Nobel Prize awarded to Francis Halzen. They examine the IceCube observatory's contribution to detecting high-energy neutrinos from astrophysical sources and the broader history of Nobel-recognized neutrino research. The episode considers why these elusive particles have repeatedly transformed physics and how studying them opens a window onto the universe.

Hosted by Hamish Johnston

Nature’s science-prize roundup discusses the research recognised by the 2026 Nobel prizes: light-based control of neurons, detection of cosmic neutrinos and the emergence of handed organic molecules. A further segment examines what gut microbes can reveal about ancient human populations and journeys. Research highlights address young viewers of online sports videos and observations of black-hole jets. The episode connects neuroscience, particle physics and chemistry with evolutionary questions about the human microbiome.

Physicist Daniel Akerib joins Sean Carroll to examine the search for weakly interacting massive particles and the challenges of directly detecting dark matter. They discuss a single unusual event in recent LUX-ZEPLIN data and why its low statistical significance warrants interest rather than a discovery claim. The conversation connects this result with Akerib’s experience in the Cryogenic Dark Matter Search, LUX and LUX-ZEPLIN experiments.

Hosted by Sean Carroll

Astrophysicist Benoît Famaey and theoretical physicist Francesca Calore discuss the evidence motivating dark matter and the challenges of identifying its nature. With Alexandra Delbot, they examine proposed particle candidates, possible detection signals and why a promising observation requires careful scrutiny before being treated as a discovery.

Hosted by Alexandra Delbot

Jonathan Webb interviews Theresa Fruth of the University of Sydney about a potential dark-matter signal in the LUX-ZEPLIN xenon experiment. They explain how detector observations are interpreted, why the signal is of interest and what further evidence would be needed.

Hosted by Jonathan Webb

Fraser Cain and Pamela L. Gay explore what cosmology can establish about the universe’s earliest history and where knowledge remains limited. The discussion covers inflation, the separation of forces, the emergence of particles and nuclei, and density fluctuations that seed later structure. Recombination and the cosmic microwave background lead into the dark ages, the first stars and reionization, with observations including JWST helping test models of the early universe. Pamela Gay is a senior scientist at the Planetary Science Institute. This Astronomy Cast episode was published on 14 September 2026; its publisher feed labels it The Beginning and End of Everything, Part 1. The original duration is 39 minutes 27 seconds.

Hosted by Fraser Cain, Pamela L. Gay

Nature's Benjamin Thompson and Maren Hunsberger discuss research recognised by the 2026 Ig Nobel prizes, including a soil-health experiment, and examine an intriguing signal from a xenon-based dark-matter experiment. Published on 4 September 2026, this episode connects environmental measurement with particle-physics news.

Øystein Elgarøy and Anders Kvellestad discuss unresolved problems in physics, drawing on cosmology and particle physics. Conversation in Norwegian.

Sean Carroll explores explanations for cosmic acceleration beyond a constant vacuum energy. He discusses dynamical dark-energy models, their relationship to particle physics, possible changes to gravity and the observations that could help distinguish competing theories.

Hosted by Sean Carroll

Lauren Williams introduces the positive Grassmannian and the surprising connections it creates across mathematics and physics. She explains links to waves, traffic and particle scattering, and discusses how research-level mathematical problems can help assess what artificial intelligence is capable of proving.

Hosted by Steven Strogatz

Sean Carroll traces the cosmological constant from Einstein's equations to modern evidence for accelerated expansion. He explains why the energy of empty space is difficult to reconcile with particle physics and examines the related puzzles of its observed size and importance in today's universe.

Hosted by Sean Carroll

Are Raklev discusses the Standard Model and experimental searches for physical phenomena beyond it. Conversation in Norwegian.

Are Raklev discusses the search for fundamental particles and the experiments that led to the Higgs-boson discovery. Conversation in Norwegian.