Neutron Stars with Baryon Number Violation, Probing Dark Sectors

The neutron lifetime anomaly has been used to motivate the introduction of new physics with hidden-sector particles coupled to baryon number, and on which neutron stars provide powerful constraints. Although the neutron lifetime anomaly may eventually prove to be of mundane origin, we use it as motivation for a broader review of the ways that baryon number violation, be it real or apparent, and dark sectors can intertwine and how neutron star observables, both present and future, can constrain them.

Automated summary

The article discusses the impact of the neutron lifetime anomaly on the introduction of new physics and hidden-sector particles, as well as the powerful constraints that neutron stars can provide. It emphasizes the importance of understanding the ways baryon number violation and dark sectors intertwine and how neutron star observables can help constrain them.