2022/03/05 by Wasif Husain, Theo F. Motta, Anthony W. Thomas · 1 voice
Physics and Astronomy · #hep-ph #nucl-th
paper · pdf · doi:10.1088/1475-7516/2022/10/028
arxiv published 2022/03/05 · arxiv updated 2022/08/11
The hypothesis that neutrons might decay into dark matter is explored using neutron stars as a testing ground. It is found that in order to obtain stars with masses at the upper end of those observed, the dark matter must experience a relatively strong self-interaction. Conservation of baryon number and energy then require that the star must undergo some heating, with a decrease in radius, leading to an increase in speed of rotation over a period of days.