Recent dark matter experiments have made a fascinating discovery – signs of neutrinos colliding with atomic nuclei in their detectors. This revelation poses a potential challenge for the detectors, as highlighted by Emily Conover in her article “‘Fog’ invades dark matter experiments” (SN: 8/24/24, p. 12).
Until now, scientists have only been able to detect dark matter through its gravitational effects on regular matter. However, there is a possibility that this enigmatic substance could interact through different forces, as suggested by Conover. One such interaction could be via the weak nuclear force. ”These detectors are specifically designed to detect this type of interaction,” she explains.
Walty raised an interesting question about how a tiny neutrino can collide with an entire atomic nucleus.
“Subatomic particles do not behave like varying-sized billiard balls bouncing around; they exhibit wave-like properties,” explains Conover. When a particle’s wavelength exceeds that of an atom’s nucleus, it interacts with the nucleus as a whole rather than individual protons or neutrons. In the case of a neutrino striking a nucleus, the interaction occurs through another particle known as a Z boson, which is exchanged between the neutrino and the nucleus. If the Z boson’s wavelength is large enough, the entire nucleus will move collectively.
2024-10-19 06:00:00
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