Some astrophysical consequences of the existence of a heavy stable neutral lepton. (original) (raw)

ADS

;

• Lee, B. W. ;
• Lerche, I. ;
• Schramm, D. N. ;
• Steigman, G.

Abstract

It is suggested that a stable, massive, neutral lepton may dominate the present mass density in the universe. To investigate this assumption, attention is given to an analysis of extended gauge theories as they apply to a lepton with a mass of a few GeV/sq cm. A critical factor in the accuracy of the hypothesis is the actual mass of the lepton, and it is noted that the more massive the individual particle, the smaller the particle's aggregate contribution to the universal mass density. High energy accelerators could prove a useful tool in an empirical determination of the lepton's mass. It is further suggested that the lepton considered might provide the material in galactic halos, or supply the mass necessary to bind galactic clusters. A study of intergalactic annihilation radiation is expected to yield more data pertaining to the lepton's existence.

Publication:

The Astrophysical Journal

Pub Date:

August 1978

DOI:

10.1086/156335

Bibcode:

1978ApJ...223.1015G

Keywords:

• Astrophysics;
• Cosmology;
• Galactic Radiation;
• Gamma Rays;
• Leptons;
• Nuclear Models;
• Particle Theory;
• Annihilation Reactions;
• Deuterium;
• Electromagnetic Interactions;
• Elementary Particles;
• Galactic Clusters;
• Helium;
• Magnetic Moments;
• Mass Distribution;
• Neutrinos;
• Nuclear Fusion;
• Stellar Evolution;
• Thermodynamics;
• Weak Energy Interactions;
• Astrophysics;
• Cosmology:Elementary Particles;
• Mass Density:Universe