Could Supersymmetry Explain Dark Matter?

In summary, supersymmetry predicts new fundamental particles that may explain dark matter, which makes up 95 percent of the total mass of the universe. The most common candidate for dark matter in supersymmetry is the neutralino, which is a mixing of superpartners of standard gauge bosons. These particles could have been created in collisions in the early universe when it was hot enough. A high energy particle accelerator like the LHC may be able to create these particles. Other candidates for dark matter in supersymmetry include the axino and gravitino, with the axino being the lightest supersymmetric particle. However, the axion is currently the most consistent dark matter candidate in experiments.
  • #1
ghery
34
0
Hello:

I`ve heard that supersymmetry predicts new fundamental particles that may explain dark matter, and that dark matter and dark energy is 95 percent of the total mass of the universe...

What are these fundamental particles predicted by supersymmetry?, and how can those particles be created ? Is a high energy particle accelerator (like the LHC) requiered to create these particles?


Thanks for your help
 
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  • #2
ghery said:
I`ve heard that supersymmetry predicts new fundamental particles that may explain dark matter, and that dark matter and dark energy is 95 percent of the total mass of the universe...

Be careful dark matter and dark energy are different.
If I remember well, dark matter is roughtly ~ 22% of universe mass, and dark energy ~ 73%.
Supersymmetry provide indeed a candidate for "cold" dark matter (heavy matter with low speed).

What are these fundamental particles predicted by supersymmetry?

usually, because there are plenty of supersymmetry models, the so-called neutralino is dark matter candidate.
Neutralino is a mixing of gauginos which are superpartners of standard gauge bosons (weak bosons Z,W and Higgs)

, and how can those particles be created ?

earlier in Universe history, Universe was I guess hot enough such that heavy neutralino could be created in collisions.

Is a high energy particle accelerator (like the LHC) requiered to create these particles?

If supersymmetry particles are not too heavy, yes LHC could create them via high energy collision like that could have been in early Universe.
 
  • #3
The candidate particles for Dark matter are
1-) Neutralino
2-) Axino
3-) Gravitino

In supersymmetry it is investigated under the subject of Lightest Supersymmetric Particle (LSP) or Next Lightest Supersymmetric Particle (NLSP).
 
  • #4
ophase said:
2-) Axino
Did you mean axion ? If that were a parner of the axion, why would the partner be more likely candidate than the axion itself ?
 
  • #5
humanino said:
Did you mean axion ? If that were a parner of the axion, why would the partner be more likely candidate than the axion itself ?

The axion is a dark matter candidate that thus far is consistent with all experiments, but the original post asked specifically about supersymmetric dark matter candidates.
 
  • #6
George Jones said:
The axion is a dark matter candidate that thus far is consistent with all experiments, but the original post asked specifically about supersymmetric dark matter candidates.
Then the list precisely state "The candidate superparticles for Dark matter are" :biggrin:
Is the axino supposed to be lighter than the axion ?
 
  • #7
Why do you think it is supposed to be lighter?

Lightest Supersymmetric Particle means the lightest in the whole list of Susy particles. Not relative to its superpartner or superpartners.
 
  • #8
ophase said:
Why do you think it is supposed to be lighter?
I don't suppose so, I was just wondering, since we already search for the axion. For the axino to be relevant, you need to only supersymmetry, but also the axion itself ! Since we don't find the axion, I thought if the axino is lighter, we have a possibility to discover both supersymmetry directly and the axion indirectly with it. But it was just a passing thought at breakfast :smile:
 

FAQ: Could Supersymmetry Explain Dark Matter?

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

Dark matter is a type of matter that makes up about 85% of the total matter in the universe, but it does not emit or absorb light, making it invisible to telescopes. It is important to study because its presence can be inferred through its gravitational effects on visible matter, and understanding its properties can help us better understand the structure and evolution of the universe.

2. What is the evidence for the existence of dark matter?

The evidence for the existence of dark matter comes from various astronomical observations, including the rotation curves of galaxies, the gravitational lensing of light, and the distribution of matter in galaxy clusters. These observations cannot be explained by the known properties of visible matter, leading to the hypothesis of dark matter.

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

Supersymmetry is a theoretical framework that proposes a symmetry between particles with integer spin (bosons) and particles with half-integer spin (fermions). It is a popular theory for extending the Standard Model of particle physics. Supersymmetry predicts the existence of a stable, weakly interacting particle that could be a candidate for dark matter, known as the neutralino.

4. Has dark matter or supersymmetry been directly observed?

Detecting dark matter directly has been challenging because it does not interact with light. However, there have been ongoing efforts to detect dark matter particles indirectly through their possible interactions with visible matter. So far, no conclusive evidence has been found. Similarly, while there is evidence that supports the existence of supersymmetry, it has not been directly observed and remains a theoretical concept.

5. How does the study of dark matter and supersymmetry contribute to our understanding of the universe?

The study of dark matter and supersymmetry can provide insights into the fundamental structure and evolution of the universe. It can also help us understand the nature of gravity and the origin of the universe. Additionally, if dark matter is found to be made up of supersymmetric particles, it could provide clues about the interactions between different types of matter and their role in the universe.

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