On the suppression of the $n\bar{n}$ transitions in medium

TL;DR

This paper introduces a new unitary S-matrix model for neutron-antineutron transitions in medium, analyzing its time dependence and corrections, and establishing a lower limit on oscillation time.

Contribution

It presents a novel model for $n\bar{n}$ transitions in medium based on a unitary S-matrix, with detailed analysis of corrections and time dependence.

Findings

Lower limit on free-space $n\bar{n}$ oscillation time is between $1.2\times 10^9$ s and $10^{16}$ years.

The model accounts for suppression effects in medium and refines previous estimates.

Time dependence and corrections to the transition process are quantitatively studied.

Abstract

The new model of $n\bar{n}$ transitions in the medium based on unitary $S$-matrix is considered. The time-dependence and corrections to the model are studied. The lower limit on the free-space $n\bar{n}$ oscillation time $\tau $ is in the range $10^{16}\; {\rm yr}>\tau >1.2\cdot 10^{9}\; {\rm s}$