Virtual particles are a mathematical tool used by physicists to calculate and predict the behavior of forces at the subatomic level, despite not being directly observable. They are essential for understanding interactions like electromagnetism and nuclear forces, and have led to highly accurate predictions, raising questions about their 'reality.' While some see them as useful fiction, their role in modern physics remains profound and indispensable.
Scientists have demonstrated that light can interact with itself through virtual particles, with tensor mesons playing a significant role, which could impact our understanding of particle physics and the Standard Model, especially in precise measurements like the muon magnetic moment.
Physicists at Oxford and Lisbon have simulated how virtual particles in a quantum vacuum can produce real light through intense laser interactions, confirming long-standing theoretical predictions and guiding future experiments to observe light emerging from empty space.
