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Scientific Reports

Strongest constraint on the parastatistical Quon model with the VIP-2 measurements

Alessio Porcelli, Kristian Piscicchia, M. Bazzi, Nicola Bortolotti, Mario Alexandru Bragadireanu, M. Cargnelli, A. Clozza, Luca De Paolis, R. Del Grande, C. Guaraldo, M. Iliescu, Matthias Laubenstein, Simone Manti, Johann Marton, Fabrizio Napolitano, A. Scordo, Francesco Sgaramella, Diana Laura Sirghi, Florin Catalin Sirghi, Johann Zmeskal, Catalina Curceanu

Published Nov 24, 2025• 2 citations
Publisher

Abstract

The spin-statistics theorem leads to Pauli’s Exclusion Principle (PEP), the basis of the stability of matter and many other phenomena relevant to physics, astrophysics, cosmology, and even biology. Possible violations of the PEP (PEPV) have been searched for since its inception; they may come from various Beyond Standard Model descriptions, including Non-Commutative Quantum Gravity models and extensions of the Quantum Field Theory, which must follow the Messiah-Greenberg Super-Selection (MGSS) rule and lead to the Quon description of the spin-statistic symmetries: the parastatstics. Efforts to search for a PEPV are not new; however, they have typically measured those cases without respecting MGSS. VIP (VIolation of the Pauli exclusion principle) first and its successor VIP-2, both sited in the “Gran Sasso underground laboratory,” aimed to set the most stringent limit for the non-Paulian transition following the MGSS rule. After two years of data with VIP-2 and better modeling of the electron-atom interaction, we present the most stringent upper limit of the probability of PEP violation for this case ([Formula: see text]), thus completing the state-of-the-art of all possible PEPV cases, and the consequent constraint to the Quon description: [Formula: see text].

DOI
10.1038/s41598-025-25444-z

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The spin-statistics theorem leads to Pauli’s Exclusion Principle (PEP), the basis of the stability of matter and many other phenomena relevant to physics, astrophysics, cosmology, and even biology. Possible violations of the PEP (PEPV) have been searched for since its inception; they may come from various Beyond Standard Model descriptions, including Non-Commutative Quantum Gravity models and extensions of the Quantum Field Theory, which must follow the Messiah-Greenberg Super-Selection (MGSS) rule and lead to the Quon description of the spin-statistic symmetries: the parastatstics. Efforts to search for a PEPV are not new; however, they have typically measured those cases without respecting MGSS. VIP (VIolation of the Pauli exclusion principle) first and its successor VIP-2, both sited in the “Gran Sasso underground laboratory,” aimed to set the most stringent limit for the non-Paulian transition following the MGSS rule. After two years of data with VIP-2 and better modeling of the electron-atom interaction, we present the most stringent upper limit of the probability of PEP violation for this case ([Formula: see text]), thus completing the state-of-the-art of all possible PEPV cases, and the consequent constraint to the Quon description: [Formula: see text].
The Pauli exclusion principle (PEP), consequence of the spin-statistics connection, is one of the basic principles of the modern physics. Being at the very basis of our understanding of matter, as many other fundamental principles it spurs a lively debate on its possible limits, deeply rooted in the very foundations of Quantum Field Theory. Therefore, it is extremely important to test the limits of its validity. Quon theory provides a suitable mathematical framework of possible violation of PEP, where the violation parameter q translates into a probability of violating PEP. The VIP (VIolation of the Pauli exclusion principle) experiment established a new limit on the probability that PEP is violated by electrons, using the method of searching for PEP forbidden atomic transitions in copper. We describe the experimental method, the obtained results, both in terms of the q -parameter from quon theory and as probability of PEP violation, we briefly discuss them and present future plans to go beyond the actual limit by upgrading the experimental setup. We also shortly mention the possibility of using a similar experimental technique to search for eventual X-rays, generated in the spontaneous collapse models in quantum mechanics.
We are experimentally investigating possible violations of standard quantum mechanics predictions in the Gran Sasso underground laboratory in Italy. We test with high precision the Pauli Exclusion Principle and the collapse of the wave function (collapse models). We present our method of searching for possible small violations of the Pauli Exclusion Principle (PEP) for electrons, through the search for "anomalous" X-ray transitions in copper atoms. These transitions are produced by "new" electrons (brought inside the copper bar by circulating current) which can have the possibility to undergo Pauli-forbidden transition to the 1s level already occupied by two electrons. We describe the VIP2 (VIolation of the Pauli Exclusion Principle) experimental data taking at the Gran Sasso underground laboratories. The goal of VIP2 is to test the PEP for electrons in agreement with the Messiah-Greenberg superselection rule with unprecedented accuracy, down to a limit in the probability that PEP is violated at the level of 10 −31 . We show preliminary experimental results and discuss implications of a possible violation.
The VIP-2 (VIolation of the Pauli Exclusion Principle) experiment conducted at the Gran Sasso underground laboratory (LNGS) of INFN is searching for possible tiny violations of standard quantum mechanics in copper atoms with extremely high sensitivity. We investigate atomic transitions with precision X-ray spectroscopy in order to test the Pauli Exclusion Principle (PEP) and therefore the spin-statistics theorem. We present the experimental method for the search for "anomalous" (i.e. Pauli-forbidden) X-ray transitions in copper atoms, produced by "new" electrons, which could have a tiny probability to undergo a Pauli-forbidden transition to the 1s ground state already occupied by two electrons. We describe the VIP-2 experimental setup and its recent optimisations. Presently VIP-2 is taking data at LNGS. The goal of VIP-2 is to test PEP for electrons with unprecedented accuracy, down to a limit in the probability that PEP is violated at the level of 10 −31 (and using a more elaborate analysis even 10 −40 ). We present current experimental results.
The Pauli exclusion principle (PEP) is one of the basic principles of modern physics. Being at the very basis of our understanding of matter, as many other fundamental principles it spurs, presently, a lively debate on its possible limits, deeply rooted in the very foundations of Quantum Field Theory. Therefore, it is extremely important to test the limits of its validity. Quon theory provides a suitable mathematical framework of possible violation of PEP, where the violation parameter q translates into a probability of violating PEP. Experimentally, setting a bound on PEP violation means confining the violation parameter to a value very close to either 1 (for bosons) or -1 (for fermions). The VIP (VIolation of the Pauli exclusion principle) experiment established a limit on the probability that PEP is violated by electrons, using the method of searching for PEP forbidden atomic transitions in copper. We describe the experimental method, the obtained results, both in terms of the q-parameter from quon theory and as probability of PEP violation, we briefly discuss them and present future plans to go beyond the actual limit by upgrading the experimental technique using vetoed new spectroscopical fast Silicon Drift Detectors. We also shortly mention the possibility of using a similar experimental technique to search for eventual X-rays, generated in the spontaneous collapse models.
The Pauli exclusion principle is one of the pillars of quantum physics. In relativistic quantum field theory it is rooted in the spin–statistics connection and therefore in locality, causal structure and Poincaré covariance. These ingredients may be modified in candidate quantum-gravity scenarios, including noncommutative spacetimes and theories with deformed relativistic symmetries. This opens a low-energy experimental route to test quantum-gravity models through high-sensitivity searches for Pauli-forbidden atomic transitions. We review the conceptual basis, experimental strategy and recent results of the VIP experiments at the INFN Gran Sasso National Laboratory. The distinction between model-independent limits on anomalous X-ray emission, phenomenological limits on the conventional violation probability [Formula: see text], and model-dependent constraints on quantum-spacetime deformation scales is addressed. We discuss the role of the Messiah–Greenberg superselection rule, the complementarity of open- and closed-system searches, and recent field-theoretic developments connecting [Formula: see text]-deformed Poincaré symmetry, quon-like exchange and particle indistinguishability. Finally, we outline how the ongoing VIP-3 measurements across the periodic table, directional configurations and sidereal-time analyses can transform Pauli-principle tests from single-parameter exclusions into a differential program of quantum-gravity phenomenology.
The Pauli exclusion principle (PEP) and, more generally, the spin-statistics connection, is at the very basis of our understanding of matter and Nature. The PEP spurs, presently, a lively debate on its possible limits, deeply rooted in the very foundations of Quantum Mechanics and Quantum Field Theory. Therefore, it is extremely important to test the limits of its validity. Quon theory provides a suitable mathematical framework of possible small violation of PEP, where the q violation parameter translates into a probability of violating PEP. Experimentally, setting a bound on PEP violation means confining the q-parameter to a value very close to either 1 (for bosons) or −1 (for fermions). The VIP (VIolation of the Pauli exclusion principle) experiment established a limit on the probability that PEP is violated by electrons, using the very clean method of searching for PEP forbidden atomic transitions in copper. We describe the experimental method, the obtained results, both in terms of the q-parameter and as probability of PEP violation, we briefly discuss the results and present plans to go beyond the actual limit by upgrading the experimental technique using vetoed new spectroscopical fast Silicon Drift Detectors. We discuss as well the possibility of using a similar experimental technique to search for X-rays generated as a signature of the spontaneous collapse of the wave function, predicted by continous spontaneous localization type theories.