Is There An Ultimate Basic Particle?

Through the ages, there have been a number of "basic particles". As we all know, the word "atom" means 'indivisible', and it was long believed that the atom was the smallest building block of matter. Of course, we later discovered sub-atomic particles, and particles that make up those particles, and so on. So, really, what we wonder today is whether there is a "smallest" particle at all, and, if so, how many more layers of small-ness do we have to go through to get there?

Recent research suggests that there may be a light at the end of the tunnel - and I don't mean that as a clever turn of phrase, but in the literal sense. The fresh-off-the-presses Zero Sum Theory proposes that it is light itself that comprises the most elementary of all particles, and that all matter is composed of 'split' photons.

Zero Sum just passed its first experimental confirmation in late July of 2008 (http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/893261/proof_of_antimatter_in_the_outer_solar.html), but the idea shows tremendous promise. If even only the part of the theory that's been tested is correct, that antimatter exhibits a kind of 'anti-gravitational' behavior, the implications are huge, for obvious reasons. Anti-gravity at our fingertips? Control over electromagnetism unlike anything even Tesla dreamed of? Talk about a breakthrough to shape the millennium.

To put it simply, Zero Sum states that a photon does have mass - a mass of zero. Composed of both a "mass 1" particulate of matter, and a "mass -1" particulate of antimatter, electromagnetic waves have a total sum mass of 0 - hence the theory's name.

The theory goes on to suggest that gravity may be a function of the deviation by matter from the neutral energy state, and introduces many other literally world-shaking concepts, such as making a very strong case, supported by existent knowledge, that matter and antimatter do not unilaterally annihilate, but only engage in their mutually destructive reaction under certain circumstances. It is the first fully comprehensive (and testable) explanation for the mysterious mass gains and losses that occur in nuclear reactions.

All that aside, the point is that it is quite feasible for there to be an ultimate basic particle. Whether Zero Sum, MOD, or some other upstart theory eventually proves to be correct (or one that hasn't yet been proposed), it seems probable, perhaps even nearly certain, that there is an actual prime particulate out there.

Could there be a basic particle? Sure. It might be, it might not be, but it is definitely possible. But even more significant: if there is one, we're getting very close to nailing down exactly what it is.