Supersymmetry (SUSY) is a theoretical framework in particle physics that suggests the existence of a new symmetry between two fundamental types of particles: bosons and fermions. According to SUSY, for every known boson (particles that carry forces) there should be a corresponding fermion (particles that make up matter) and vice versa. These pairs of particles are called superpartners.
Now, how does this relate to dark matter? Dark matter is a form of matter that does not interact with light or other electromagnetic forces, making it invisible to our current detection methods. It has been observed indirectly through its gravitational effects on galaxies and the universe as a whole.
Supersymmetry provides a potential explanation for dark matter by introducing a stable, electrically neutral, and weakly interacting supersymmetric particle called the "neutralino." The neutralino is predicted to be the lightest superpartner and a candidate for dark matter. As it does not interact with electromagnetic forces, it can't be directly detected through light-based observations.
The idea is that during the early moments of the universe, when particles were created and annihilated, an imbalance occurred, leading to an abundance of neutralinos. These neutralinos would then go on to form the dark matter that we observe today.
However, it's important to note that while supersymmetry is an attractive theory for several reasons, experimental evidence for superpartners, including the neutralino, has not been found yet. Many experiments, such as those conducted at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC), have been searching for these superpartners, but so far, no conclusive evidence has been obtained. Therefore, the existence of supersymmetric particles and their role in explaining dark matter remains a topic of ongoing research and investigation in the field of particle physics.