Skyrmen

Skyrmen are a theoretical type of particle predicted by some extensions of the Standard Model of particle physics. They are envisioned as potentially being the fundamental constituents of dark matter, a mysterious substance that makes up a significant portion of the universe's mass but does not interact with light. The concept of skyrmen arises from certain mathematical frameworks that attempt to describe the fundamental forces and particles.

Unlike the well-established fundamental particles like quarks and leptons, skyrmen are a more speculative idea. Their properties, such as mass and interactions, are not precisely known and would depend on the specific theoretical model proposing their existence. If skyrmen do exist, they would likely interact very weakly with ordinary matter, which is why they are considered a candidate for dark matter. This weak interaction would make them extremely difficult to detect directly.

Research into skyrmen involves theoretical calculations and the development of potential experimental strategies to search for them. These searches often rely on looking for indirect evidence of their existence, such as gravitational effects or possible annihilation signals if skyrmen can interact with themselves. The investigation of skyrmen is part of the broader effort to understand the nature of dark matter and to potentially uncover new physics beyond the current Standard Model.