Abstract

Self-destructing dark matter (SDDM) is a class of dark sector models in which the collision of a dark sector particle with the earth induces its prompt decay into Standard Model particles, generating unique signals at neutrino detectors. The inherent fragility of SDDM makes its survival from the early Universe unlikely, implying a late time production mechanism. We present an efficient late time production mechanism for SDDM based on atomic rearrangement, the mechanism responsible for muon or antiproton capture in hydrogen. In this model, an atomic rearrangement process occurs in our Galaxy, converting dark atoms into highly excited bound states---our SDDM candidates. While the resulting SDDM is only a small fraction of the dark matter flux, its striking self-destruction signals imply a significant discovery reach in the existing data from the Super-Kamiokande experiment.

Highlights

  • The nature of dark matter (DM), which makes up 75% of the matter density in the Universe, is still an open question

  • In this work we present a concrete mechanism for the late time production of Self-destructing dark matter (SDDM) out of partially atomic DM

  • II we review the physics of atomic rearrangement

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Summary

INTRODUCTION

The nature of dark matter (DM), which makes up 75% of the matter density in the Universe, is still an open question. All of the rest mass of the SDDM is converted to a detectable signal, with an energy c2=v2DM ∼ 106 higher than a typical nuclear recoil signal This allows for the novel use of high-threshold, large neutrino detectors in the search for this DM candidate. When incident upon the earth, the ðXX Þ exhibit a typical SDDM phenomenology: they can collide with the nucleus through the dark photon portal and undergo a radiative transition to an unstable, low angular momentum state They self-annihilate into two or more dark photons, leading to potential striking signals such as two simultaneous lepton or jet pairs in the detector. VI we calculate the discovery reach for our model in the Super-Kamiokande detector, and show how its large fiducial volume allows for a significant discovery reach in the mX-ε plane

ATOMIC REARRANGEMENT
Minimal components of a dark sector with self-destruction
Outline of the SDDM production mechanism
A CONCRETE MODEL
EARLY UNIVERSE AND LATE TIME DYNAMICS
Early Universe bound state dynamics
Direct self-annihilation
Deexcitation
Self-destruction
Inverse rearrangement
The Galactic number density of SDDM
DETECTION AT NEUTRINO DETECTORS
Findings
OUTLOOK
Full Text
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