From Old to New Physics with Electron-Electron Scattering

We discuss the physics that can be learned from one of the most elementary scattering processes: that of one electron scattering off another. Both theoretically and experimentally, relativistic electron-electron scattering, also known as Moller scattering, has played an important role in our understanding of electromagnetic and weak interactions. After a historical introduction and discussion of early experiments, we describe the result of E158 experiment at the Stanford Linear Accelerator Center, which measured parity violation in Moller scattering for the first time. We then introduce the MOLLER proposal, a tremendous new opportunity to significantly improve on the accuracy of the E158 measurement and search for physics beyond the Standard Model made feasible by the 12 GeV upgrade of Jefferson Laboratory.​