Muon-induced baryon number violation

Journal Article · 16 October 2024 · Physical Review. D.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevD.110.075015 · OSTI ID:2472465

Fox, Patrick J. ; Hostert, Matheus ; Menzo, Tony ; Pospelov, Maxim; Zupan, Jure

The search for charged-lepton flavor violation in muon capture on nuclei is a powerful probe of heavy new physics. A smoking gun signal for $\mu \to e$ conversion is a monochromatic electron with energy almost equal to the muon mass. We show that light new physics can mimic this signature and that it can also lead to electrons above the $\mu \to e$ signal peak. A concrete example of such light new physics is ${\mu }^{-}$ -nucleon annihilation into a light dark sector, which can produce an energetic $e^{-}$ as well as $e^{+}{e}^{-}$ by-products. Due to the size of the muon mass, the exotic muon capture process can be kinematically allowed, while the otherwise stringent constraints, e.g., from proton decay, are kinematically forbidden. We also discuss other relevant constraints, including those from the stability of nuclei and muon capture in the interior of neutron stars. Published by the American Physical Society 2024

• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• Grant/Contract Number: SC0011842; SC0020250; SC0007859; AC02-07CH11359; SC0011784
• OSTI ID: 2472465
• Journal Information: Physical Review. D., Journal Name: Physical Review. D. Journal Issue: 7 Vol. 110; ISSN PRVDAQ; ISSN 2470-0010
• Publisher: American Physical SocietyCopyright Statement
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English