The Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer (AMS-02), a particle detector aboard the International Space Station, has identified particles of antimatter (antihelium) that are not easily produced in the known universe. This discovery challenges current theories about the production of antimatter and suggests that we might be observing completely new astrophysical phenomena.
Antihelium is the antimatter form of helium, composed of antiparticles that annihilate into a burst of energy when they encounter ordinary matter. Its detection in cosmic rays has puzzled scientists because, according to our current theories, the production of antihelium in space is extremely difficult.
Generally, it would require specific energetic conditions that are not usually present in known space, hence the surprise at its possible detection, which has led researchers to explore new explanations beyond standard physics.
In a recent article published in Physical Review D, the authors propose a theory that challenges traditional explanations, suggesting that certain catastrophic events, termed fireballs, could be behind the formation of antinuclei in the universe.
The hypothesis suggests that these “fireballs” result from massive injections of energy in space, possibly caused by collisions of dark matter objects. Dark matter, although invisible and enigmatic, makes up a large part of the universe, and its interactions with visible matter could be generating these particles of antimatter.
Collisions of dark matter objects could release a torrent of antiquarks, the fundamental components of antinuclei, in a small spatial volume. These particles would form a kind of extremely hot plasma that, as it rapidly expands, cools and allows the formation of antinuclei such as antihelium.
This process resembles the nuclear reactions of the Big Bang but on a much smaller scale and under different circumstances, which could explain why these particles are so difficult to detect.
The possible detection of antihelium could open the door to new theories that expand the limits of our current knowledge. If the findings are confirmed, this phenomenon would require a revision of the theories about the formation of antimatter in the universe and could provide clues about the nature of dark matter.
The study suggests that if these dark matter collisions are common enough, we might expect to observe more antihelium events in the future. Additionally, other detectable signals might appear that would help confirm this theory.
The AMS-02, by continuing to monitor cosmic rays from the International Space Station, will play a crucial role in collecting additional data that could support or refute these proposals.
The authors of the article urge the scientific community to continue exploring this line of research and to develop models that can fully explain the production of antinuclei in the universe.
SOURCES
Michael A. Fedderke, David E. Kaplan, et al., Fireball antinucleosynthesis. Phys. Rev. D 109, 123028. doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevD.109.123028
Discover more from LBV Magazine English Edition
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.