About

James Miller is a Professor of Physics at Boston University with a research focus on physics beyond the Standard Model. His primary interest is in experimentally measuring rare or forbidden processes to probe for new physics phenomena. Currently, he is involved in a large experiment at Fermilab called Mu2e, which aims to detect or set limits on the conversion of a muon into an electron without accompanying neutrinos, a process that signals potential new physics. Miller serves as co-spokesman for this project, which has received initial approval from the Department of Energy. In addition to Mu2e, Miller has contributed to the nEDM experiment at the Spallation Neutron Source at Oak Ridge, where he is responsible for electronics and simulations. This experiment seeks to measure the electric dipole moment of the neutron with unprecedented precision, providing insights into CP violation and the baryon asymmetry of the universe. He has also completed an experiment at the Paul Schirrer Institute in Zurich to measure the positive muon lifetime with significantly improved accuracy. Miller's academic background includes a B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. from Carnegie-Mellon University, and postdoctoral fellowships at Caltech and Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory. He has held faculty positions at Boston University since 1979, progressing from assistant to full professor, and has been recognized as a Fellow of the American Physical Society.

Research topics

• Physics
• Nuclear physics
• Particle physics
• Condensed matter physics
• Quantum mechanics
• Optics
• Astronomy

Selected publications

• An optical fiber gallic acid sensor with a molecularly imprinted chitosan membrane as a transducer for analyzing gallic acid in food products

  Journal of Food Measurement & Characterization · 2026-01-18

  article1st author
  PublisherDOI

• An Optical Fiber Acetylsalicylic Acid Sensor Using a Cellulose Triacetate Cladding on Fiber Core Surface for Solid Phase Extraction

  Journal of Analysis and Testing · 2025-05-16 · 3 citations

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  PublisherDOI

• Measurement of the Positive Muon Anomalous Magnetic Moment to 0.20 ppm

  Physical Review Letters · 2023 · 365 citations

  • Physics
  • Nuclear physics
  • Particle physics

  We present a new measurement of the positive muon magnetic anomaly, a_{μ}≡(g_{μ}-2)/2, from the Fermilab Muon g-2 Experiment using data collected in 2019 and 2020. We have analyzed more than 4 times the number of positrons from muon decay than in our previous result from 2018 data. The systematic error is reduced by more than a factor of 2 due to better running conditions, a more stable beam, and improved knowledge of the magnetic field weighted by the muon distribution, ω[over ˜]_{p}^{'}, and of the anomalous precession frequency corrected for beam dynamics effects, ω_{a}. From the ratio ω_{a}/ω[over ˜]_{p}^{'}, together with precisely determined external parameters, we determine a_{μ}=116 592 057(25)×10^{-11} (0.21 ppm). Combining this result with our previous result from the 2018 data, we obtain a_{μ}(FNAL)=116 592 055(24)×10^{-11} (0.20 ppm). The new experimental world average is a_{μ}(exp)=116 592 059(22)×10^{-11} (0.19 ppm), which represents a factor of 2 improvement in precision.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Charged Lepton Flavor Violation Experiments

  Moscow University Physics Bulletin · 2022-04-01 · 4 citations

  article1st authorCorresponding

  We briefly summarize the current status and plans of a sample of charged lepton flavor violation experimental efforts, emphasizing muon-based experiments.

  PublisherDOI

• Letter of Intent: Muonium R&D/Physics Program at the MTA

  2022-12-05

  reportOpen access

  With the planned turn-on of the PIP-II 800 MeV superconducting proton linac, Fermilab will potentially become the world's best laboratory at which to carry out fundamental muon measurements, sensitive searches for symmetry violation, and precision tests of theory. In preparation, we propose to develop the techniques that will be needed. An R&D and physics program is proposed at the Fermilab MeV Test Area to use the existing 400 MeV Linac to demonstrate the efficient production of a slow muonium beam using $\mu^+$ stopped in a ~100-$\mu$m-thick layer of superfluid helium, and to use that beam to measure muonium gravity.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Measurement of the anomalous precession frequency of the muon in the Fermilab Muon<mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"><mml:mi>g</mml:mi><mml:mo>−</mml:mo><mml:mn>2</mml:mn></mml:math>Experiment

  Physical review. D/Physical review. D. · 2021 · 196 citations

  • Physics
  • Nuclear physics
  • Particle physics

  The Muon g -2 Experiment at Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory (FNAL) has measured the muon anomalous precession frequency m a to an uncertainty of 434 parts per billion (ppb), statistical, and 56 ppb, systematic, with data collected in four storage ring configurations during its first physics run in 2018. When combined with a precision measurement of the magnetic field of the experiment's muon storage ring, the precession frequency measurement determines a muon magnetic anomaly of a FNAL 116 592 04054 10 -11 (0.46 ppm). This article describes the multiple techniques employed in the reconstruction, analysis, and fitting of the data to measure the precession frequency. It also presents the averaging of the results from the 11 separate determinations of m a , and the systematic uncertainties on the result.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Measurement of the Positive Muon Anomalous Magnetic Moment to 0.46 ppm

  Physical Review Letters · 2021 · 1322 citations

  • Physics
  • Condensed matter physics
  • Nuclear physics

  We present the first results of the Fermilab National Accelerator Laboratory (FNAL) Muon g -2 Experiment for the positive muon magnetic anomaly a g -2=2. The anomaly is determined from the precision measurements of two angular frequencies. Intensity variation of high-energy positrons from muon decays directly encodes the difference frequency a between the spin-precession and cyclotron frequencies for polarized muons in a magnetic storage ring. The storage ring magnetic field is measured using nuclear magnetic resonance probes calibrated in terms of the equivalent proton spin precession frequency 0

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• The ELFIN Mission

  Space Science Reviews · 2020-07-30 · 72 citations

  articleOpen access

  Abstract The Electron Loss and Fields Investigation with a Spatio-Temporal Ambiguity-Resolving option (ELFIN-STAR, or heretoforth simply: ELFIN) mission comprises two identical 3-Unit (3U) CubeSats on a polar (∼93 ∘ inclination), nearly circular, low-Earth (∼450 km altitude) orbit. Launched on September 15, 2018, ELFIN is expected to have a &gt;2.5 year lifetime. Its primary science objective is to resolve the mechanism of storm-time relativistic electron precipitation, for which electromagnetic ion cyclotron (EMIC) waves are a prime candidate. From its ionospheric vantage point, ELFIN uses its unique pitch-angle-resolving capability to determine whether measured relativistic electron pitch-angle and energy spectra within the loss cone bear the characteristic signatures of scattering by EMIC waves or whether such scattering may be due to other processes. Pairing identical ELFIN satellites with slowly-variable along-track separation allows disambiguation of spatial and temporal evolution of the precipitation over minutes-to-tens-of-minutes timescales, faster than the orbit period of a single low-altitude satellite (T orbit ∼ 90 min). Each satellite carries an energetic particle detector for electrons (EPDE) that measures 50 keV to 5 MeV electrons with $\Delta $ <mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML"> <mml:mi>Δ</mml:mi> </mml:math> E/E &lt; 40% and a fluxgate magnetometer (FGM) on a ∼72 cm boom that measures magnetic field waves (e.g., EMIC waves) in the range from DC to 5 Hz Nyquist (nominally) with &lt;0.3 nT/sqrt(Hz) noise at 1 Hz. The spinning satellites (T spin $\,\sim $ <mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML"> <mml:mspace/> <mml:mo>∼</mml:mo> </mml:math> 3 s) are equipped with magnetorquers (air coils) that permit spin-up or -down and reorientation maneuvers. Using those, the spin axis is placed normal to the orbit plane (nominally), allowing full pitch-angle resolution twice per spin. An energetic particle detector for ions (EPDI) measures 250 keV – 5 MeV ions, addressing secondary science. Funded initially by CalSpace and the University Nanosat Program, ELFIN was selected for flight with joint support from NSF and NASA between 2014 and 2018 and launched by the ELaNa XVIII program on a Delta II rocket (with IceSatII as the primary). Mission operations are currently funded by NASA. Working under experienced UCLA mentors, with advice from The Aerospace Corporation and NASA personnel, more than 250 undergraduates have matured the ELFIN implementation strategy; developed the instruments, satellite, and ground systems and operate the two satellites. ELFIN’s already high potential for cutting-edge science return is compounded by concurrent equatorial Heliophysics missions (THEMIS, Arase, Van Allen Probes, MMS) and ground stations. ELFIN’s integrated data analysis approach, rapid dissemination strategies via the SPace Environment Data Analysis System (SPEDAS), and data coordination with the Heliophysics/Geospace System Observatory (H/GSO) optimize science yield, enabling the widest community benefits. Several storm-time events have already been captured and are presented herein to demonstrate ELFIN’s data analysis methods and potential. These form the basis of on-going studies to resolve the primary mission science objective. Broad energy precipitation events, precipitation bands, and microbursts, clearly seen both at dawn and dusk, extend from tens of keV to &gt;1 MeV. This broad energy range of precipitation indicates that multiple waves are providing scattering concurrently. Many observed events show significant backscattered fluxes, which in the past were hard to resolve by equatorial spacecraft or non-pitch-angle-resolving ionospheric missions. These observations suggest that the ionosphere plays a significant role in modifying magnetospheric electron fluxes and wave-particle interactions. Routine data captures starting in February 2020 and lasting for at least another year, approximately the remainder of the mission lifetime, are expected to provide a very rich dataset to address questions even beyond the primary mission science objective.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• A submission to the 2020 update of the European Strategy for Particle Physics on behalf of the COMET, MEG, Mu2e and Mu3e collaborations

  arXiv (Cornell University) · 2018-12-16 · 23 citations

  preprintOpen access

  Charged-lepton flavour-violating (cLFV) processes offer deep probes for new physics with discovery sensitivity to a broad array of new physics models - SUSY, Higgs Doublets, Extra Dimensions, and, particularly, models explaining the neutrino mass hierarchy and the matter-antimatter asymmetry of the universe via leptogenesis. The most sensitive probes of cLFV utilize high-intensity muon beams to search for $μ\rightarrow e$ transitions. We summarize the status of muon-cLFV experiments currently under construction at PSI, Fermilab, and J-PARC. These experiments offer sensitivity to effective new physics mass scales approaching O($10^4$) TeV/c$^2$. Further improvements are possible and next-generation experiments, using upgraded accelerator facilities at PSI, Fermilab, and J-PARC, could begin data taking within the next decade. In the case of discoveries at the LHC, they could distinguish among alternative models; even in the absence of direct discoveries, they could establish new physics. These experiments both complement and extend the searches at the LHC.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Charged Lepton Flavour Violation using Intense Muon Beams at Future Facilities

  2018-12-16 · 1 citations

  reportOpen access

  Charged-lepton avour-violating (cLFV) processes offer deep probes for new physics with discovery sensitivity to a broad array of new physics models | SUSY, Higgs Doublets, Extra Dimensions, and, particularly, models explaining the neutrino mass hierarchy and the matterantimatter asymmetry of the universe via leptogenesis. The most sensitive probes of cLFV utilize high-intensity muon beams to search for $\mu \to e$ transitions. We summarize the status of muon-cLFV experiments currently under construction at PSI, Fermilab, and J-PARC. These experiments offer sensitivity to effective new physics mass scales approaching $O (10^4)$ $TeV=c^2$. Further improvements are possible and next-generation experiments, using upgraded accelerator facilities at PSI, Fermilab, and J-PARC, could begin data taking within the next decade. In the case of discoveries at the LHC, they could distinguish among alternative models; even in the absence of direct discoveries, they could establish new physics. These experiments both complement and extend the searches at the LHC.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

Recent grants

• Precision Measurements in Intermediate Energy Physics

  NSF · $1.9M · 2004–2010

• Precision Measurements in Intermediate Energy Physics

  NSF · $2.0M · 2008–2014

Frequent coauthors

• Robin Law

  315 shared

• Andrew Roberts

  244 shared

• Philip D. Curtin

  238 shared

• MICHAEL TWADDLE

  236 shared

• David Henige

  234 shared

• B. L. Roberts

  Embry–Riddle Aeronautical University

  221 shared

• Douglas Conrad

  University of California, San Diego

  194 shared

• T. C. McCaskie

  University of Birmingham

  186 shared

Awards & honors

• Fellow, American Physical Society