What is baryonic matter
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Understanding Baryonic Matter: Composition, Properties, and Cosmological Significance
Definition and Composition of Baryonic Matter
Baryonic matter refers to the "ordinary" matter that makes up the atoms and molecules in the universe, including protons, neutrons, and electrons. This type of matter is distinct from dark matter and dark energy, which do not interact with electromagnetic forces and are thus invisible to current detection methods. Baryonic matter is primarily composed of baryons, which are subatomic particles made up of three quarks, such as protons and neutrons .
Baryonic Matter in Galaxy Clusters
In galaxy clusters, baryonic matter constitutes a significant fraction of the total mass. However, this fraction is larger than what is predicted by standard cosmological models, which combine cosmic nucleosynthesis (the formation of light elements during the Big Bang) and inflationary cosmology. This discrepancy suggests that either the density of the universe is less than required for closure or there is an error in the standard interpretation of element abundances .
Baryonic Matter and Dark Matter Interactions
Recent research has proposed mechanisms that link baryonic matter with dark matter. One such mechanism involves a new Dirac fermion that carries a conserved baryon number charge and couples to standard model quarks and a hidden sector. This interaction could explain the generation of both baryon and dark matter densities in the universe. The model suggests that CP-violating decays of this fermion could sequester antibaryon numbers in the hidden sector, leaving a baryon excess in the visible sector, which could be a signature for nucleon decay searches .
Baryonic Effects on Large-Scale Structure
Baryonic matter significantly impacts the large-scale structure of the universe. For instance, baryonic physics, particularly active galactic nucleus (AGN) feedback, affects the matter bispectrum, which is a measure of the large-scale clustering of matter. This impact is crucial for interpreting upcoming measurements of cosmic shear and other large-scale structure probes. Studies have shown that baryonic effects can enhance the bispectrum at low redshifts, a phenomenon not observed in the matter power spectrum, thus providing a new source of degeneracy breaking between two- and three-point statistics .
Baryonic Matter in Different Nuclear Environments
The properties of baryonic matter can vary significantly in different nuclear environments. For example, in symmetric nuclear matter, neutron matter, and strange matter, the equations of state differ, reflecting the varying interactions and densities. These differences are crucial for understanding the behavior of baryonic matter under extreme conditions, such as those found in neutron stars or during supernovae .
Conclusion
Baryonic matter is a fundamental component of the universe, playing a crucial role in the formation and evolution of cosmic structures. Its interactions with dark matter, impact on large-scale structures, and varying properties in different nuclear environments highlight its complexity and significance. Understanding baryonic matter not only sheds light on the visible universe but also provides insights into the underlying principles of cosmology and particle physics.
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