Dark matter won’t be invisible in any case. It may depart a hidden glow

Researchers on the University of York suggest that mild may subtly change colour when it encounters darkish matter, providing a possible technique for detecting it straight. This discovering challenges the long-standing perception that darkish matter and lightweight don’t work together in any measurable means.

Rethinking an “Invisible” Force

Until now, darkish matter has been recognized solely by way of its gravitational affect, which holds galaxies collectively and shapes their construction. Because it neither emits nor displays mild, scientists have historically assumed it can’t be detected by way of optical means.

The new work, nevertheless, suggests this view is likely to be incomplete. According to the York workforce, mild touring by way of area may purchase a slight pink or blue tint relying on the form of darkish matter it encounters. Detecting these refined variations may open a brand new window into finding out the unseen materials that dominates the cosmos.

A “Six Handshake Rule” for Particles

The analysis is predicated on an idea just like the “six handshake rule.” This is the concept that any two individuals are related by a brief chain of acquaintances. The scientists recommend that one thing comparable may happen amongst subatomic particles.

Even if darkish matter doesn’t work together straight with mild, it may nonetheless have an effect on it not directly by way of different particles. Certain darkish matter candidates, referred to as Weakly Interacting Massive Particles (WIMPs), may affect mild by connecting by way of a sequence of intermediate particles such because the Higgs boson and the highest quark.

Traces of Color within the Darkness

Dr. Mikhail Bashkanov, from the University of York’s School of Physics, Engineering and Technology, defined: “It’s a reasonably uncommon query to ask within the scientific world, as a result of most researchers would agree that darkish matter is darkish, however we’ve got proven that even darkish matter that’s the darkest variety possible — it may nonetheless have a form of colour signature.

He added: “It’s a fascinating idea, and what is even more exciting is that, under certain conditions, this ‘color’ might actually be detectable. With the right kind of next-generation telescopes, we could measure it. That means astronomy could tell us something completely new about the nature of dark matter, making the search for it much simpler.”

A New Direction for Dark Matter Detection

The examine describes how these oblique interactions may very well be examined in upcoming experiments, permitting scientists to eradicate sure darkish matter fashions whereas refining others. The workforce additionally emphasizes the significance of incorporating these findings into the design of future telescopes.

Dark matter stays one among physics’ biggest mysteries, revealing itself solely by way of its gravitational pull. Confirming these outcomes may present a completely new method to detecting it and deepen our understanding of how the Universe is held collectively.

Dr. Bashkanov mentioned: “Right now, scientists are spending billions building different experiments — some to find WIMPs, others to look for axions or dark photons. Our results show we can narrow down where and how we should look in the sky, potentially saving time and helping to focus those efforts.”

The examine was printed within the journal Physics Letters B.