Neutron’s dark secret
Bartosz Fornal, Benjamín Grinstein
Abstract
The existing discrepancy between neutron lifetime measurements in bottle and beam experiments has been interpreted as a sign of the neutron decaying to dark particles. We summarize the current status of this proposal, including a discussion of particle physics models involving such a portal between the Standard Model and a baryonic dark sector. We also review further theoretical developments around this idea and elaborate on the prospects for verifying the neutron dark decay hypothesis in current and upcoming experiments.
Topics & Concepts
PhysicsNeutronDark matterPhysics beyond the Standard ModelCurrent (fluid)Nuclear physicsBaryonStandard Model (mathematical formulation)Particle physicsSign (mathematics)Dark energyTheoretical physicsNeutron radiationCosmologyBeam (structure)Neutron starAstrophysicsDark currentBottleAtomic and Subatomic Physics ResearchDark Matter and Cosmic PhenomenaParticle physics theoretical and experimental studies