Destabilizing Matter through a Long-Range Force

Abstract

We consider a long-range force, mediated by an ultralight scalar, which can give rise to violation of baryon number. This would lead to very different lifetimes for nucleons in different astrophysical environments. Possible signals of this scenario include a flux of O(10 MeV) solar neutrinos or anomalous heating of old neutron stars; we find the latter to yield the strongest current bounds, which could be improved in the coming years. The ultralight scalar employed here can potentially be a good dark matter candidate.

Comments: Based on a talk by the author at the EW Rencontres de Moriond 2024, La Thuile, Italy, March 24-31, 2024