A new possible way to detect Axion Anti-quark Nuggets

TL;DR

This paper proposes a novel method to detect axion anti-quark nuggets by using minerals as paleo-detectors, which could record luminescence signals from interactions over geological timescales, potentially revealing dark matter components.

Contribution

It introduces a new detection approach for A$ar{ ext{Q}}$Ns using natural minerals as paleo-detectors to identify latent luminescence signals from particle interactions.

Findings

Minerals can serve as natural paleo-detectors for A$ar{ ext{Q}}$N detection.

Luminescence signals from interactions can be preserved over geological timescales.

The method could enable direct detection of dark matter particles.

Abstract

The axion anti-quark nugget (A$\bar{\mathrm{Q}}$N) model was developed to explain in a natural way the asymmetry between matter and antimatter in Universe. In this hypothesis, a similitude between the dark and the visible components exists. The lack of observability of any type of dark matter up to now, in particular A$\bar{\mathrm{Q}}$Ns, requires finding new ways of detecting these particles, if they exist. In spite of strong interaction with visible matter, for such objects a very small ratio of cross section to mass is expected and thus huge detector systems are necessary. This paper presents a new idea for the direct detection of the A$\bar{\mathrm{Q}}$Ns using minerals as natural rock deposits acting as paleo-detectors, where the latent signals of luminescence produced by interactions of A$\bar{\mathrm{Q}}$Ns are registered and can be identified as an increased and symmetrical deposited dose. The estimates were made for minerals widely distributed on Earth, for which the TL signal is intense and if the thermal conditions are constant and with low temperatures, the lifetime of the latent signals is kept for geological time scales.