Nuclear Fusion Inside Dark Matter

TL;DR

This paper proposes a novel mechanism where composite dark matter can catalyze nuclear fusion within nuclei, potentially serving as a natural nuclear fusion generator, with implications for cosmology and detection.

Contribution

It introduces a new model of composite dark matter capable of inducing nuclear fusion, expanding the understanding of dark matter interactions and detection possibilities.

Findings

Dark matter can accelerate nuclei to MeV energies

Composite dark matter may catalyze nuclear fusion in various environments

Detection signatures include bremsstrahlung radiation from nuclei-electron interactions

Abstract

A new dynamic is identified between dark matter and nuclei. Nuclei accelerated to MeV energies by the internal potential of composite dark matter can undergo nuclear fusion. This effect arises in simple models of composite dark matter made of heavy fermions bound by a light scalar field. Cosmologies and detection prospects are explored for composites that catalyze nuclear reactions in underground detectors and stars, including bremsstrahlung radiation from nuclei scattering against electrons in hot plasma formed in the composite interior. If discovered and collected, this kind of composite dark matter could in principle serve as a ready-made, compact nuclear fusion generator.