Electrodisintegration of Deuteron into Dark Matter and Proton Close to Threshold

We discuss an investigation of the dark matter decay modes of the neutron, proposed by Fornal and Grinstein (2018–2020), Berezhiani (2017, 2018) and Ivanov et al. (2018) for solution of the neutron lifetime anomaly problem, through the analysis of the electrodisintegration of the deuteron d into dark matter fermions χ and protons p close to threshold. We calculate the triple-differential cross section for the reaction e−+d→χ+p+e− and propose to search for such a dark matter channel in coincidence experiments on the electrodisintegration of the deuteron e−+d→n+p+e− into neutrons n and protons close to threshold with outgoing electrons, protons, and neutrons in coincidence. An absence of neutron signals should testify to a detection of dark matter fermions.

Gravity beyond Einstein? Part III: numbers and coupling constants, contradictory experiments, hypercomplex gravity like-fields, propellantless space propulsion

This article, the last in a series of three articles, attempts to unravel the underlying physics of recent experiments regarding the contradictory properties of the neutron lifetime that has been a complete riddle for quite some time. So far, none of the advanced theories beyond the Standard Models (SMs) of particle physics and cosmology have shown sufficient potential to resolve this mystery. We also try to explain the blatant contradiction between the predictions of particle physics and experiments concerning the nature and properties of the (so far undetected) dark matter and dark energy particles. To this end the novel concepts of both negative and hypercomplex matter (giving rise to the concept of matter flavor) are introduced, replacing the field of real numbers by hypercomplex numbers. This extension of the number system in physics leads to both novel internal symmetries requiring new elementary particles – as outlined in Part I and II, and to novel types of matter. Hypercomplex numbers are employed in place of the widely accepted (but never observed) concept of extra space dimensions – and, hence, also to question the corresponding concept of supersymmetry. To corroborate this claim, we report on the latest experimental searches for novel and supersymmetric elementary particles by direct searches at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) and other colliders as well as numerous other dedicated experiments that all have come up empty handed. The same holds true for the dark matter search at European Council for Nuclear Research (CERN) [CERN Courier Team, “Funky physics at KIT,” in CERN Courier, 2020, p. 11]. In addition, new experiments looking for dark or hidden photons (e.g., FUNK at Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, CAST at CERN, and ALPS at Desy, Hamburg) are discussed that all produced negative results for the existence of the hitherto unseen but nevertheless gravitationally noticeably dark matter. In view of this contradicting outcome, we suggest a four-dimensional Minkowski spacetime, assumed to be a quasi de Sitter space, dS 1,3, complemented by a dual spacetime, denoted by DdS 1,3, in which the dark matter particles that are supposed to be of negative mass reside. This space is endowed with an imaginary time coordinate, −it and an imaginary speed of light, ic. This means that time is considered a complex quantity, but energy m(ic)2 > 0. With this construction visible and dark matter both represent positive energies, and hence gravitation makes no distinction between these two types of matter. As dark matter is supposed to reside in dual space DdS 1,3, it is principally undetectable in our spacetime. That this is evident has been confirmed by numerous astrophysical observations. As the concept of matter flavor may possibly resolve the contradictory experimental results concerning the lifetime of the neutron [J. T. Wilson, “Space based measurement of the neutron lifetime using data from the neutron spectrometer on NASA’s messenger mission,” Phys. Rev. Res., vol. 2, p. 023216, 2020] this fact could be considered as a first experimental hint for the actual existence of hypercomplex matter. In canonical gravity the conversion of electromagnetic into gravity-like fields (as surmised by Faraday and Einstein) should be possible, but not in cosmological gravity (hence these attempts did not succeed), and thus these conversion fields are outside general relativity. In addition, the concept of hypercomplex mass in conjunction with magnetic monopoles emerging from spin ice materials is discussed that may provide the enabling technology for long sought propellantless space propulsion.

The implication of Thorium fraction on neutronic parameters of pebble bed reactor

Thorium abundance in the Earth's crust is estimated to be three to four times higher than uranium. This is one potential advantage of Thorium as a provider of attractive fuel to produce nuclear energy. Fewer transuranics produced by Thorium during the fuel burn up in the reactor may also be another advantage for reducing the long-term burden of high-level long-lived waste. The scope of this paper is to study the implication of Thorium fraction on neutronic parameters of pebble bed reactor. The reactor model of HTR-10 was selected, and the (Th, 235U)O2 fuel was used in this study. The MCNP6 code was applied to solve a series of neutron transport calculations with various Thorium fractions in (Th,235U)O2 fuel based on the ENDF/BVII library. The calculation results show that the total temperature coefficient of reactivity of Thorium-added pebble bed reactors is generally more negative than those of LEU-fuelled one, except for 10% Thorium fraction. The kinetic parameters, especially prompt neutron lifetime and neutron generation time of pebble bed reactors, are higher, which means the addition of Thorium in the fuel makes the reactor more easily controlled. However, the burn-up calculations show that the introduction of Thorium in the same fuel kernel as LEU within the pebble bed reactor is unable to lengthen the fuel residence time, except for a minimum of 40% Thorium fraction.