Is there a connection between dark matter and supersymmetry in the universe?

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In summary, while supersymmetry may not be directly associated with dark matter, it is a theoretical possibility that could explain some of the mass in space. There is currently no way to test this hypothesis, but researchers are looking for ways to do so.
  • #1
jimmy p
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Is there a link between dark matter and supersymmetry? I know that dark matter makes up a lot of the known universe but no one understands what it is. I also know that with supersymmetry each particle has a sparticle which is thousands of times heavier (however i don't know why) and that no sparticles have been detected yet, which is why CERN is making their super-powerful particle accelerator (sorry Fermilab)...well CERN are making it for a number of reasons really..


Anyway i digress...SO, neither have been detected, there is a lot of unexplained mass in space, so why couldn't this dark matter be sparticles??

Also, does that mean anti-matter has anti-sparticles?
 
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  • #2
One of the principal contenders for dark matter is the neutralino, the supersymmetry partner of the neutrino. For the most recent discussion of the subject, look at arXiv:hep-ph/0312013. (if you are not familiar with arXiv, use google to get it.)
 
  • #3
Actually, neutralinos are superpositions of superpartners of electroweak gauge and Higgs bosons (namely, a superposition of bino, wino, and two higgsinos).
 
  • #4
jimmy p wrote: SO, neither have been detected, there is a lot of unexplained mass in space, so why couldn't this dark matter be sparticles?
Indeed, it could be. Many a researcher is looking for ways of testing that, and other, related, hypotheses.

One difficulty: how would test such a hypothesis? What are the footprints of sparticles? What space and time distributions of sparticles make sense?

It helps that we now think we have a pretty good idea of the EM energy density in galactic suburbs, clusters, and superclusters, and its spectrum, all the way from very high energy gammas to ULF radio. Perhaps less of a handle on the baryonic matter densities.

Got any ideas for tests?
 
  • #5
Well we could wait for CERN to build their contraption cos i wouldn't know where to start. It's obvious that the answer we are looking for won't be found on Earth for a while so maybe we should look to the stars... well maybe radiation from stellar objects anyway!
 

1. What is dark matter and why is it important?

Dark matter is a mysterious form of matter that is thought to make up about 85% of the total matter in the universe. It does not interact with light, which is why it is "dark" and cannot be directly observed. Its existence is inferred through its gravitational effects on visible matter. Understanding dark matter is important because it plays a crucial role in the formation and evolution of galaxies and the structure of the universe.

2. How is dark matter different from regular matter?

Dark matter is different from regular matter in several ways. First, it does not interact with light, so it cannot be directly observed. Additionally, it does not interact with the strong or electromagnetic forces, meaning it cannot form atoms and molecules like regular matter. Dark matter also does not experience friction or pressure, allowing it to move more freely through space.

3. What is supersymmetry and how does it relate to dark matter?

Supersymmetry is a theoretical framework in particle physics that proposes the existence of a new set of particles that are partners to the known particles in the Standard Model. These particles, called supersymmetric particles or "sparticles," have not yet been observed, but their existence is predicted to explain the properties of dark matter. Supersymmetry proposes that dark matter is made up of a stable, neutral supersymmetric particle known as the lightest supersymmetric particle (LSP).

4. How is dark matter researched and detected?

Dark matter is researched through various methods, such as studying the rotation of galaxies, gravitational lensing, and observing the cosmic microwave background radiation. To detect dark matter directly, scientists use large underground detectors that are sensitive to the weakly interacting massive particles (WIMPs) that make up dark matter. These detectors look for the rare interactions between WIMPs and regular matter.

5. What are the current theories and challenges surrounding dark matter and supersymmetry?

There are several theories about the nature of dark matter, including the WIMP theory, axion theory, and modified gravity theory. However, there is still no clear consensus on which theory is correct. The biggest challenge in understanding dark matter is the fact that it cannot be directly observed and its properties can only be inferred through its gravitational effects. As for supersymmetry, the lack of evidence for sparticles at the Large Hadron Collider has led to some skepticism about its validity. However, many scientists still believe that supersymmetry is the most promising theory to explain the existence of dark matter.

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