Can Dark Matter Be Explained by Dark Photons

Dark matter is one of the most exciting mysteries in Astronomy. We can see its effects but we don't know what exactly it is. One of the proposed solutions is dark photons. What are they and what do we need to find them? Finding the answers with Nicholas Hunt-Smith.

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00:00 Intro
01:52 What is a dark photon
06:35 Importance of naming
08:00 What properties should it have
14:59 How dark matter fits into the standard model
20:20 How we could find dark photons
24:38 What's next
40:07 Current obsessions
42:34 More interviews

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You are free to use my work for any purpose you like, just mention me as the source and link back to this video.

[SirLothian]

I completely agree that "Dark Photon" is a terrible name. To me it implies that there is dark electromagnetic radiation and a dark electromagnetic field that normal matter does not interract with.

[oberonpanopticon]

It’d be awesome if it turned out that dark matter wasn’t just one thing, but a whole new branch of particle physics with its own unique spectrum of particles and interactions that only mildly overlap with what we know of. If 80% of the universe wasn’t just diffuse blobs of inert particles but rather a whole invisible world just as complex or even more so than what we know… it’s probably not, but it’s fun to imagine!

[realzachfluke]

I love Fraser's instinctual dubiety right off the bat at the idea that we should be jumping in head first to a new "dark ___" name for a concept.
And I have to say, for the sake of science communication I do genuinely think we should shut this "dark photon" naming down now, PARTICULARLY because it's proposing a particle with MASS lol.

Sometimes scientists are their own worst enemy, which I'm saying in a light-hearted way.

[xitheris]

I propose the name "umbron" from the latin _umbra_ meaning shadow or darkness.

[MeissnerEffect]

Thank you for answering my question Frasier and giving me a heads up about this interview. Absolutely fascinating and fills me with awe. 10/10 ✨

[Anders]

Amazing, I just now asked Google Bard about a speculation I came up with about massive photons for dark matter and it replied that there already is such hypothesis called dark photons. And then I found this video.

[dustindude]

My vote for particle name would be umbrion

[MrCday]

Love your content Fraiser. Thank you for all the work ya do. You answered one of my questions years ago and i cant seem to find the video. You had a guest answer it and ive watched every video youve made since then

[MelindaGreen]

I like the idea of scanning through the energy levels in the LHC. I too think of it as analogous to the Hubble deep-field photo you alluded to. I think it's fine to dedicate the lion's share of instrument time looking at particular regions of interest to theorists, but I'd also like to see some time set aside to simply turn the knob slowly and see if any surprises turn up,

[laurachapple]

Dark photons means we might finally learn what the Speed of Dark is!

[JMylesGardner]

@FraserCain, could dark matter just be matter we are not accounting for in added dimensions of space? To me, I still have not been convinced that the dark matter is not just a under sampling of black holes, maybe even premoridial BHs

[vhhawk]

Appreciate how you kept coming back to ground on this one, especially the 6.5 sigma result. That is spectacular.

[peterclarke]

Hints of something new there !
So this has to be looked into and try to be confirmed. It sounds like - if it’s correct - it has the potential to open up an entire new areas.

[jamesnoland]

Ok, full disclosure, I just had an edible and I am WAY out of my depth here, but what if we don’t really understand how photons are created? What if dark photons (I hate the name too. I would refer to them as DPs but I don’t want to get Frazier demonetized) are a byproduct of photons being created? I mean those electrons that create the photons have to come from somewhere right? What if something else is emitted that does have mass and what if they stick around and accumulate? Dang. We are about to be buried in DPs. These gummies are great. I gotta call my guy. LOVE this channel.
Oh yeah, I forgot. Didn’t watch the whole thing because I’m 💯 not smart enough for this conversation.

[tuckfeem]

Would it technically be possible to “slingshot” telescopes or other objects into orbit rather than using fuel or vast sources of energy?

Similar to aircraft carriers but more advanced for example.

Are there other creative options being explored ?

Thank you for your insights and interviews really fascinating content!

[angelainamarie]

What I'm hearing is we literally don't know the power of the dark side

[douglaswilkinson]

The speed of light in a vacuum is constant for all observers regardless of there relative motion per Einstein's Special Theory of Relativity. This has been extensively tested and confirmed. What peer-reviewed published papers based on 6σ verifiable evidence can you cite that would contradict this?

[Mr_Kyle_]

Fraser you're 100% correct about having clear naming. Astrophysics has some of the coolest names, but also some of the worst and misleading names in all of science imo, for a discipline that wants to be seen as seeking the truth/facts about the universe.

[peterclarke]

I think it will be easier to come up with a better name - once we understand what it is we are talking about - until then ‘Dark Matter’ is the best working description.

Maybe it’s an entirely different ‘sub space’ ? With different quantum properties.

[ChainsGame]

Layman's question here: Is it possible that dark matter could be the products of decay beyond 1st generation matter particles? In other words, another even lighter set of two leptons and two quarks, a 0th generation if you will.