Neutron Dark Decay in Neutron Stars: The Role of the Symmetry Energy

Fuente: arXiv
Salvato in:
Dettagli Bibliografici
Autori principali: Divaris, M., Moustakidis, Ch. C.
Natura: Preprint
Pubblicazione: 2025
Soggetti:
Accesso online:
Tags: Aggiungi Tag
Nessun Tag, puoi essere il primo ad aggiungerne!!
_version_ 1866911130212892672
author Divaris, M.
Moustakidis, Ch. C.
author_facet Divaris, M.
Moustakidis, Ch. C.
contents We conduct a systematic investigation of the influence of the nuclear symmetry energy on the proposed neutron decay into dark matter particles within the cores of neutron stars. Unlike the majority of previous studies that considered only pure neutron matter, the present analysis is extended to encompass $β$-stable nuclear matter. Furthermore, in relation to previous studies, the interactions between dark matter and baryons are incorporated and systematically studied regarding their effect on the structure of neutron stars. Our findings indicate that the nuclear symmetry energy plays a critical role in shaping the total equation of state (EoS) for dense neutron star matter containing dark sector components. The strength of interactions among dark matter particles, as well as between dark matter and baryons, is shown to be pivotal in determining both the composition and the macroscopic properties of neutron stars. The concurrent tuning of interaction strengths alongside the symmetry energy parameters may facilitate a more accurate reproduction of recent observational data relevant to neutron star properties. In any case, the extent to which the proposed dark decay of the neutron is affected by the extreme conditions prevailing in the interior of neutron stars remains an open problem.
format Preprint
id arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2508_21754
institution arXiv
publishDate 2025
record_format arxiv
spellingShingle Neutron Dark Decay in Neutron Stars: The Role of the Symmetry Energy
Divaris, M.
Moustakidis, Ch. C.
Nuclear Theory
Solar and Stellar Astrophysics
High Energy Physics - Phenomenology
Nuclear Experiment
We conduct a systematic investigation of the influence of the nuclear symmetry energy on the proposed neutron decay into dark matter particles within the cores of neutron stars. Unlike the majority of previous studies that considered only pure neutron matter, the present analysis is extended to encompass $β$-stable nuclear matter. Furthermore, in relation to previous studies, the interactions between dark matter and baryons are incorporated and systematically studied regarding their effect on the structure of neutron stars. Our findings indicate that the nuclear symmetry energy plays a critical role in shaping the total equation of state (EoS) for dense neutron star matter containing dark sector components. The strength of interactions among dark matter particles, as well as between dark matter and baryons, is shown to be pivotal in determining both the composition and the macroscopic properties of neutron stars. The concurrent tuning of interaction strengths alongside the symmetry energy parameters may facilitate a more accurate reproduction of recent observational data relevant to neutron star properties. In any case, the extent to which the proposed dark decay of the neutron is affected by the extreme conditions prevailing in the interior of neutron stars remains an open problem.
title Neutron Dark Decay in Neutron Stars: The Role of the Symmetry Energy
topic Nuclear Theory
Solar and Stellar Astrophysics
High Energy Physics - Phenomenology
Nuclear Experiment
url https://arxiv.org/abs/2508.21754