Solution to the hyperon puzzle using dark matter

TL;DR

This paper explores how admixed dark matter in neutron stars can resolve the hyperon puzzle by stiffening the equation of state, aligning theoretical models with observed neutron star masses.

Contribution

It introduces the inclusion of dark matter in neutron star models as a novel mechanism to address the hyperon puzzle, analyzing various dark matter properties and their effects on star structure.

Findings

Dark matter admixture affects neutron star mass-radius relations.

Constraints on dark matter properties compatible with observed neutron star masses.

Parameter space analysis limits dark matter fraction and interaction strength.

Abstract

In this paper, we studied the ``hyperon puzzle", a problem that nevertheless the large number of studies is still an open problem. The solution of this issue requires one or more mechanisms that could eventually provide the additional repulsion needed to make the EoS stiffer and, therefore, the value of $M_{\rm{max}, T}$ compatible with the current observational limits. In this paper we proposed that including dark matter (DM) admixed with ordinary matter in neutron stars (NSs), change the hydrostatic equilibrium and may explain the observed discrepancies, regardless to hyperon multi-body interactions, which seem to be unavoidable. We have studied how non-self-annihilating, and self-interacting, DM admixed with ordinary matter in NSs changes their inner structure, and discussed the mass-radius relations of such NSs. We considered DM particle masses of 1, 10, and 100 GeV, while taking into account a rich list of the DM interacting strengths, $y$. By analyzing the multidimensional parameter space, including several quantities like: a. the DM interacting strength, b. the DM particle mass as well as the quantity of DM in its interior, and c. the DM fraction, ${\rm f}_{DM}$, we put constraints in the parameter space ${\rm f}_{DM} - p^{\prime}_{\rm DM}/p^{\prime}_{\rm OM}$. Our bounds are sensitive to the recently observed NSs total masses.