# Neutron oscillations for solving neutron lifetime and dark matter puzzles

## TL;DR

This paper proposes a neutron-mirror neutron oscillation model within mirror matter theory to address neutron lifetime discrepancies and explain dark matter abundance, supported by early universe evolution analysis and experimental suggestions.

## Contribution

It introduces a novel neutron-mirror neutron oscillation framework that explains neutron lifetime differences and dark matter ratios, with testable predictions and astrophysical implications.

## Key findings

- Neutron-mirror neutron mass difference ~2×10^{-6} eV/c^2
- Oscillation strength ~2×10^{-5}
- Dark-to-baryon matter ratio ~5.4

## Abstract

A model of $n-n'$ (neutron-mirror neutron) oscillations is proposed under the framework of the mirror matter theory with slightly broken mirror symmetry. It resolves the neutron lifetime discrepancy, i.e., the 1% difference in neutron lifetime between measurements from "beam" and "bottle" experiments. In consideration of the early universe evolution, the $n-n'$ mass difference is determined to be about $2\times 10^{-6}$ eV/c$^2$ with the $n-n'$ mixing strength of about $2\times 10^{-5}$. The picture of how the mirror-to-ordinary matter density ratio is evolved in the early universe into the observed dark-to-baryon matter density ratio of about 5.4 is presented. Reanalysis of previous data and new experiments that can be carried out under current technology are discussed and recommended to test this proposed model. Other consequences of the model on astrophysics and possible oscillations of other neutral particles are discussed as well.