Constraints on the Dark Matter Interpretation $n\to \chi +e^{+}{e}^{-}$ of the Neutron Decay Anomaly with the PERKEO II experiment

Abstract

Discrepancies from in-beam and in-bottle type experiments measuring the neutron lifetime are on the 4$\sigma$ standard deviation level. In a recent publication Fornal and Grinstein proposed that the puzzle could be solved if the neutron would decay on the one percent level via a dark decay mode, one possible branch being $n\to \chi +e^{+}{e}^{-}$. With data from the \perkeoII experiment we set limits on the branching fraction and exclude a one percent contribution for $95\%$ of the allowed mass range for the dark matter particle.

5 pages, 2 figures

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• Precision Measurement of the Neutron Beta-Decay Asymmetry
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• Exotic decay channels are not the cause of the neutron lifetime anomaly
• Measurement of the Proton Asymmetry Parameter C in Neutron Beta Decay
• Validation Test of Geant4 Simulation of Electron Backscattering
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