Neutron oscillations for solving neutron lifetime and dark matter puzzles

Abstract

A model of n−n′ (neutron-mirror neutron) oscillations is proposed under the framework of the mirror matter theory with slightly broken mirror symmetry. It resolves the neutron lifetime discrepancy, i.e., the 1% difference in neutron lifetime between measurements from “beam” and “bottle” experiments. In consideration of the early universe evolution, the n−n′ mass difference is determined to be about 2×10−6 eV/c2 with the n−n′ mixing strength of about 2×10−5. The picture of how the mirror-to-ordinary matter density ratio is evolved in the early universe into the observed dark-to-baryon matter density ratio of about 5.4 is presented. Reanalysis of previous data and new experiments that can be carried out under current technology are discussed and recommended to test this proposed model. Other consequences of the model on astrophysics and possible oscillations of other neutral particles are discussed as well. Keywords: Neutron lifetime, Neutron oscillations, Mirror matter theory, Dark matter