The Qweak Experiment at Jefferson Lab - A Search for New Physics at the TeV Scale

The Q(weak) collaboration will make the first precision determination of the proton's weak charge, Q(W)(p) = 1 - 4sin(2) theta(W), from a measurement of the parity-violating asymmetry in elastic electron-proton scattering at very low momentum transfer. The results will determine the proton's weak charge with a 4% total error. The Standard Model makes a firm prediction of Q(W)(p), based on the running of the weak mixing angle, sin(2) theta(W), from the Z(0) pole down to low energies, corresponding to a 10 sigma effect in this experiment. Any significant deviation of sin(2) theta(W) from the Standard Model prediction at low Q(2) would be a signal of new physics, wheras agreement would place new and significant constraints on possible Standard Model extensions at the TeV mass scale.