How fast can protons decay?

Davoudiasl, Hooman; Denton, Peter B.

doi:10.1103/PhysRevD.111.035026

Title: How fast can protons decay?

Journal Article · 27 February 2025 · Physical Review. D.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevD.111.035026 · OSTI ID:2524615

;

Current laboratory bounds imply that protons are extremely long-lived. However, this conclusion may not hold for all time and in all of space. We find that the proton lifetime can be $\sim 15$ orders of magnitude shorter in the relatively recent past on Earth or at the present time elsewhere in the Milky Way. A number of terrestrial and astrophysical constraints are examined and potential signals are outlined. We also sketch possible models that could lead to spatial or temporal variations in the proton lifetime. A positive signal could be compelling evidence for a new long range force of nature, with important implications for the limitations of fundamental inferences based solely on laboratory measurements. Published by the American Physical Society 2025

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Research Organization:: Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL), Upton, NY (United States)

Sponsoring Organization:: USDOE; USDOE Office of Science (SC), High Energy Physics (HEP)

Grant/Contract Number:: SC0012704

OSTI ID:: 2524615

Report Number(s):: BNL--227591-2025-JAAM; 035026

Journal Information:: Physical Review. D., Journal Name: Physical Review. D. Journal Issue: 3 Vol. 111; ISSN PRVDAQ; ISSN 2470-0010

Publisher:: American Physical SocietyCopyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

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