String theory suggests that dark matter is hiding in extra dimension

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the implications of string theory in relation to dark matter, particularly focusing on a recent article that suggests dark matter may be associated with extra dimensions. Participants explore the terminology, theoretical frameworks, and the nature of the claims made in the article, with an emphasis on clarifying the context of string theory and its predictions.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants challenge the accuracy of the article's title, arguing that it misrepresents the nature of string theory and dark matter, suggesting terms like "accommodate" instead of "suggest."
  • There is a contention regarding the characterization of dark matter in the context of string theory, with some asserting that the particles are not "hiding" but are real and difficult to detect.
  • Participants discuss the need for clarity on what specific aspects of the paper they wish to explore, indicating a lack of focus in the initial posts.
  • One participant notes that string theory is a framework rather than a single theory, which complicates the discussion about predictions related to dark matter.
  • Questions arise about the formalism that predicts the "dark dimension," with participants seeking a deeper understanding of the theoretical underpinnings.
  • There is acknowledgment that a comprehensive understanding of the paper would require knowledge of string theory, Kaluza-Klein towers, and their historical context, which some participants feel unprepared to provide.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express disagreement on the interpretation of the article and the terminology used in relation to string theory. There is no consensus on how to accurately describe the theoretical framework or the implications for dark matter.

Contextual Notes

Some participants note the article's reductionist approach and its potential simplifications, which may contribute to misunderstandings about the underlying physics. The discussion also reflects varying levels of familiarity with the concepts involved, leading to different interpretations of the same material.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be of interest to those exploring the intersections of string theory and dark matter, as well as individuals seeking to understand the nuances of theoretical physics terminology and frameworks.

pines-demon
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TL;DR
Curum Vafa and co. calculation uses string theory to predict an extra dimension where dark matter could be lurking. He claims this can be tested and falsifiable
Physics news on Phys.org
"Here is an article" is a terrible, terrible, terrible start to a thread. What do you want to discuss about that article"? <splat>...here it is, is not helpful. It is also helpful if you refer back to the real, journal article, and not some click-baity thing you found on the wen.

That said, not a single word of your title is correct.

"String theory suggest that dark matter is hiding in extra dimension

  • "String theory" - not all string theory. This was done in the context of a particular kind, and arguably not even the most interesting kind
  • "suggest" - accommodate might be a better word. This is not the first stringy model to do this anyway.
  • "dark matter is hiding in extra dimension" - this is nonsense. Pure click bait. In this model, it is not hiding. It's neutrinos that emerge from Kaluza-Klein modes of a new field introducved into the theory. In shot, what they have done is put a new partiocle in, and get a new dark matter particle out. Hardly news.By the way, this idea goes back to 1926.

    The particles aren't "hiding" anywhere. They are real, albeit hard to detect.
 
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Vanadium 50 said:
"Here is an article" is a terrible, terrible, terrible start to a thread. What do you want to discuss about that article"? <splat>.
Noted. I am still trying to figure out the forum system here in SF. There are many threads that are just about sharing.
Vanadium 50 said:
...here it is, is not helpful. It is also helpful if you refer back to the real, journal article, and not some click-baity thing you found on the wen.
This seems to the paper https://arxiv.org/abs/2205.12293

Vanadium 50 said:
That said, not a single word of your title is correct.
I was trying to avoid the more clickbaity title of Quanta. Note that the title I chose was extracted from the abstract of the article. Quanta is indeed very reductionist so it makes a lot of simplifications to get to a larger audience.
Vanadium 50 said:
"String theory" - not all string theory. This was done in the context of a particular kind, and arguably not even the most interesting kind
Could you explain what is the right terminology?
Vanadium 50 said:
The particles aren't "hiding" anwhere. They are real, albeit hard to detect.
Assuming dark matter is composed of particle-like stuff right?
 
pines-demon said:
Could you explain what is the right terminology?
For what? You are the one who posted the thread; I can only assume you know what you want to discuss.
 
Vanadium 50 said:
For what?
You say it is not string theory, what would be the right way to describe this kind of theory?
 
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String theory is not a single theory. It is a framework around which theories can be developed. "String theory predicts" would mean that all theories developed in this framework have this property. For example, "String theory predicts the number of dimensions is 10 or 26."

But were two days and half a dozen messages in, and we still don't know what it is about this paper you want to talk about. All we have is a far-from-unique prediction, and some hoopla on a web site you agree is click-baity.

If you want to talk about this paper, you need to tell us what you want to talk about.
 
Vanadium 50 said:
String theory is not a single theory. It is a framework around which theories can be developed. "String theory predicts" would mean that all theories developed in this framework have this property. For example, "String theory predicts the number of dimensions is 10 or 26."
Sure but what is the formalism that predicts this "dark dimension"?
Vanadium 50 said:
But were two days and half a dozen messages in
Maybe you are confusing with another thread, this started yesterday and has a few messages.

Vanadium 50 said:
and we still don't know what it is about this paper you want to talk about.
I posted the arxiv paper above (sorry for the grammar there).

Vanadium 50 said:
If you want to talk about this paper, you need to tell us what you want to talk about.
As I said, I have seen threads that starts just like that and people just offer some opinions on it. If I am doing something very wrong please clarify what is the guideline. For the moment the discussion is on how this is or isn't string theory.
 
What they are talking about is described in the abstract of their paper.
 
Vanadium 50 said:
What they are talking about is described in the abstract of their paper.
How is it different from string theory? It uses that term all over the paper.
 
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At least now we have an answerable question. Unfortunately, it's a very heavy lift - you need a B-level explanation of this paper, plus a B-level explanation of string theory, plus probably a B-level explanation of KK towers (and probably a B-level explanation of the historical development). I'm afraid I am not skilled enough to do this, at least not in a reasonable amount of time.
 
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Vanadium 50 said:
At least now we have an answerable question. Unfortunately, it's a very heavy lift - you need a B-level explanation of this paper, plus a B-level explanation of string theory, plus probably a B-level explanation of KK towers (and probably a B-level explanation of the historical development). I'm afraid I am not skilled enough to do this, at least not in a reasonable amount of time.
Would that be true if it were elevated to I level? I'm guessing a rather qualitative description of what you're talking about would be possible without plunging into A-level details. Mind you, even in A-level threads there's a lot of discussion which is perfectly accessible to me as well as lot which might as well be AES encrypted for all the sense I can make of it. Perhaps I don't fit the B/I/A model :)
 
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