Implications of the recent neutron decay measurements on the properties of compact objects -- a dark star with nucleonic shell ?

TL;DR

This paper explores how recent neutron decay measurements imply the existence of dark matter particles, leading to the theoretical prediction of a new type of compact object called a dark star with a nucleonic shell.

Contribution

It introduces a kinematic model consistent with neutron decay observations and investigates the properties of neutron stars containing dark matter, proposing a novel dark star structure.

Findings

Constraints on dark matter particle mass and coupling derived

Modified neutron star structure as a dark star with nucleonic shell predicted

Implications for neutron decay and dark matter detection discussed

Abstract

Recent experimental observation suggests that neutron decay is always accompanied by emission of electron while in 1% of cases proton is not emitted. We develop a scenario kinematically compatible with experimental observation, where neutron decay results in production of two dark matter particles of about half the mass of neutron and test properties of neutron stars with admixture of such particles. Constraints on mass and coupling to vector dark boson are obtained. The structure of the compact object is modified to a dark star with a shell of nucleonic matter around the nuclear saturation density.