Examining dark neutron decay using f-mode gravitational waves (2505.17355v1)

Abstract: In this study, the impact of neutron decay into dark matter and various dark matter self-interaction strengths on neutron star properties have been explored. Using the quark-meson coupling (QMC) model for nucleon-only equations of state (EoSs), the effects of different matter compositions have been compared, including strange matter and self-interacting dark matter. The results demonstrate that increasing DM-DM self-repulsion stiffens the EoS, influencing the mass-radius relationship and stability of neutron stars. Furthermore, fundamental mode (f-mode) oscillations have been analyzed, which serve as a diagnostic tool for probing neutron star interiors. Both first- and second-order f-mode frequencies follow universal relations, reinforcing their applicability for constraining dense matter properties. It has been shown that neutron stars composed of nucleons-only and self-interacting dark matter exhibit a universal behavior in damping time and angular frequency, whereas strange matter and non-self-interacting dark matter deviate from this trend. These findings highlight the significance of gravitational wave detections in investigating neutron star structure, particularly with next-generation observatories such as the Einstein Telescope and Cosmic Explorer. This study provides a pathway for testing dark matter models through gravitational wave asteroseismology, bridging astrophysical observations and fundamental particle physics.