Dark Matter Interpretation of the Neutron Decay Anomaly

TL;DR

This paper proposes that the neutron decay anomaly can be explained by a dark decay channel involving dark sector particles, which could also account for dark matter, supported by models consistent with experimental constraints.

Contribution

It introduces novel particle physics models that explain the neutron decay anomaly via dark sector particles, linking it to dark matter.

Findings

Dark decay channels can account for the neutron lifetime discrepancy.

Models are consistent with current experimental constraints.

Dark sector particles could be stable dark matter candidates.

Abstract

There is a long-standing discrepancy between the neutron lifetime measured in beam and bottle experiments. We propose to explain this anomaly by a dark decay channel for the neutron, involving one or more dark sector particles in the final state. If any of these particles are stable, they can be the dark matter. We construct representative particle physics models consistent with all experimental constraints.