Prospects for low-energy antiproton physics at Fermilab

TL;DR

Fermilab's antiproton source, historically the world's most intense, faces uncertain future but may develop low-energy and medium-energy programs, enabling new physics research such as hyperon CP violation.

Contribution

This paper reviews Fermilab's antiproton facility status and discusses potential future low-energy antiproton physics programs and their scientific opportunities.

Findings

Potential for low-energy antiproton physics at Fermilab.

Hyperon CP violation as a key physics goal.

Uncertain future but promising developments.

Abstract

Fermilab has long had the world's most intense antiproton source, but the opportunities for medium-energy antiproton physics have been limited, and those for low-energy antiproton physics nonexistent. The conclusion of E835 brings this era to an end. While the future of antiproton physics at Fermilab remains highly uncertain, developments are occurring that may lead to a low-energy program within the next several years, with the possibility of an improved medium-energy program thereafter. These issues were considered at the recent $\bar{p}2000$ Workshop at Illinois Institute of Technology. I summarize the current status of the Fermilab antiproton facility, review hyperon {\em CP} violation as an example of the physics that might be achievable, and discuss future possibilities.