New research introduces the possibility that right-handed neutrinos could be the missing link in explaining why the universe contains more matter than antimatter. These hypothetical particles might also play a role in constituting dark matter, thereby addressing multiple cosmic enigmas. By investigating their properties and interactions, scientists aim to shed light on fundamental aspects of the universe’s composition.
Previous studies primarily concentrated on left-handed neutrinos within the standard model of physics. This new hypothesis expands the scope by considering right-handed neutrinos, suggesting they could have significant implications for both particle physics and cosmology. Such a shift could bridge gaps in our understanding of the universe’s evolution.
Unveiling the Nature of Right-Handed Neutrinos
Right-handed neutrinos are theorized to have much greater mass than left-handed ones, yet they remain undetected. If they exist, their heavier mass could influence the early universe’s dynamics, contributing to the matter-antimatter imbalance observed today.
Symmetry Breaking and Matter-Antimatter Asymmetry
In the early universe, interactions involving both left-handed and right-handed neutrinos may have broken the symmetry between matter and antimatter. As the universe expanded and cooled, this process could have led to an excess of matter, explaining why antimatter is rare in our current cosmos.
Implications for Dark Matter Composition
The research suggests that right-handed neutrinos might have transformed into Majoran particles—hypothetical entities that are their own antiparticles. These Majoran particles are strong candidates for dark matter, offering a unified explanation for its presence alongside the matter imbalance.
The potential discovery of right-handed neutrinos would have profound effects on our understanding of the universe. It could validate theories that link neutrino behavior with both the dominance of matter and the existence of dark matter, providing a more complete picture of cosmological history.
