A computer-generated image of a neutron star, incorporating surrounding magnetic fields. Quiescent … [+]
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Neutron stars are the smallest combination of stars, containing the densest form of matter known to man. And, according to a recent paper published in Physical Review Letters, they may also be an excellent laboratory for detecting a dark matter.
Neutron stars are formed when stars between one and three times the sun run out of fuel and fall in under the power of gravity. This gravitational pull pushes the electrons of atoms to the proteins, turning them into neutrons. The result is an object of about ten to fifteen miles in diameter, mostly a large atomic nucleus with a medium city diameter, mostly entirely of neutrons.
Dark matter is thought of as a kind of matter that both experiences and causes gravity but does not emit any kind of electromagnetic radiation – light, heat, radio waves, nothing . There is strong celestial evidence that there is a dark matter, but it has not been looked at directly so scientists have no idea about its exact properties. The current thinking is that it is an electrically stable and neutral subatomic particles, but it is not known what constitutes individual dark matter grains.
A group of scientists has studied a group of seven neutron stars that emit an obscure amount of high-energy x-rays and have provided a possible explanation for the view. If there is a dark matter and it is in the form of a theoretical subatomic substance called axions, a special class of neutron stars would be a unique laboratory for its detection.
The CERN Axion Solar Telescope (CAST) detects axions emanating from the sun
CERN
Axions are particles that are proposed to solve the unexplained behavior of the strong force, which is responsible for holding proteins and neutrons together in the center of atoms. In principle, the force could raise an issue about antimatter or vice versa, but it does not. There must be a reason why this possible behavior does not occur and the axion piece has been proposed to solve this mystery. If the axion is present, the strong nuclear force should treat case and antimatter equally. Note that the undetected axion is a theoretical component.
But, if the >> axion is in <<, that could be a dark issue as well. So how do dark subject axions and neutron stars connect?
The amazing seven is called a nearby group of seven neutron stars. Like all neutron stars, they generate powerful magnetic fields. However, unlike many neutron stars, they are highly inquisitive. They emit soft x-rays (eg low energy) and ultraviolet light. Of course, they are quiet and calm, which is very important for axion searches, as it makes it easier to look for unexpectedly too much light from other forms of light.
Neutron stars are made up almost entirely of neutrons. These neutrons move around inside the star, colliding with each other. When they interact, they release neutrinos. Neodrinos are known as low particles that then escape from the neutron star. They are emitted in nuclear reactors, such as inside nuclear power plants or the sun.
If there are axions, they are also formed as neutrinos. Axions also have low mass, electron neutral, particles and also escape from the neutron star. However, unlike neutrinos, which escape completely unnoticed, an ax can interact with the magnetic field around the neutron star and turn into photons, especially hard x-rays (e.g. high energy) .
In a recent paper, astronomers examined the seven wonders and found that they all emitted the expected amount of soft x-rays and ultraviolet light, however, two of the seven out large amounts of unexplained solid x-rays.
In a second paper, a group of researchers (some of whom are the authors of both papers) suggested that too many hard x-rays could be explained by axion scattering.
It is important to be careful. The authors did not claim that they have observed axions, only that the hypothesis of the axion could explain the unexplained hard x-rays.
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The Axion Dark Matter Experiment (ADMX) is based at the University of Washington and is a … [+]
Mark Stone / Washington University Photography
it is also worth noting that the unexplained solid x-rays were not seen in just two of the seven neutron stars. Two of the remaining five appeared to emit hard x-rays, although the data were inconclusive. Two others had spectacles that could signal the scattering of hard x-rays, but the signal was weak and could be sputum. In fact the remaining star had a slight lack of x-ray scattering. If the definition of the axion is correct, scientists need to understand why the different stars had different amounts of x-ray scattering.
It is perhaps more likely that the hard x-rays that came from the seven magnificents can be explained by a more normal (although still explained) astronomical phenomenon. To ensure the definition of the axion is correct, investigations need to generate and locate axions in a laboratory here on Earth. There are many ongoing experiments, from those that detect axions from space, to others that attempt to generate them in particle beams.
Searches will continue to look for other possible signatures of cosmic axions.