Theory Nexus

Introduction For decades, scientists have theorized the existence of dark matter, an invisible substance that makes up about 85% of the matter in the universe. Despite intense research, little is known about the true nature of dark matter, and its existence continues to baffle astronomers and physicists alike. One of the most promising candidates for dark matter is axions, a hypothetical subatomic particle that has yet to be detected experimentally. In this article, we will examine the theory behind axions, their potential role as dark matter, and the current state of research in this exciting field. The Theory of Axions The concept of axions was first proposed in the late 1970s by Roberto Peccei and Helen Quinn as a solution to a problem with the strong nuclear force. The strong nuclear force is responsible for keeping protons and neutrons together in the nucleus of an atom, but it also predicts the existence of a particle called the "theta" particle. However, this particle ...