Abstract
We add to the Standard Model a new fermion χ with minimal baryon number 1/3. Neutron decay n → χχχ into non-relativistic χ can account for the neutron decay anomaly, compatibly with bounds from neutron stars. χ can be Dark Matter, and its cosmological abundance can be generated by freeze-in dominated at T ∼ mn. The associated processes n → χχχγ, hydrogen decay H → χχχν(γ) and DM-induced neutron disappearance \( \overline{\chi} \)n → χχ(γ) have rates below experimental bounds and can be of interest for future experiments.
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Strumia, A. Dark Matter interpretation of the neutron decay anomaly. J. High Energ. Phys. 2022, 67 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/JHEP02(2022)067
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/JHEP02(2022)067