Dark Matter Scenario Research Articles

Higgs-portal spin-1 dark matter with parity-violating interaction

We introduce the spin-1 U(1)X gauged field X with Z2 odd dark parity to evade the current strong constraints on kinetic mixing. Then, X becomes stable and a candidate for the dark matter. The lowest mass dimension of interaction is six, and the type is the Higgs portal. Two types of dim-6 operators are introduced. We consider the freeze-out dark matter scenario. With the limit of null momentum transfer, a parity odd operator is free from the direct detection constraints. Accordingly, the strong constraints on a parity even operator indicate turning on this parity odd operator to realize the dark matter relic density of the Universe. With the 1 TeV cut-off scale, our dark matter of around 400 GeV mass can explain the dark matter relic density and is allowed from the LUX-ZEPLIN experiment of the direct detection.

Enhanced monochromatic photon emission from millicharged co-interacting dark matter

We study a millicharged co-interacting dark matter scenario, where the primary dark matter constituent is the dark photon A′ and the secondary component is the fermion χ. In this model, χ interacts with A′ via a U(1)′ interaction while being millicharged with respect to normal photons. Our investigation focuses on the oscillation of A′ dark matter into photons within the background of χ particles, revealing that the A′ − χ scattering rate benefits from a Bose enhancement of the A′ final state. As the oscillation production rate is directly linked to the scattering rate, the conversion of A′ dark matter into monochromatic photons experiences significant amplification owing to this Bose enhancement, especially when the scattering rate Γsca approaches the dark photon mass mA′\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$ {m}_{A^{\\prime }} $$\\end{document}. These converted monochromatic photons are detectable through radio telescopes and can induce distortions in the Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB) spectrum. We find that the sensitivity of radio telescopes and the constraints imposed by CMB distortion on the kinetic mixing parameter are notably heightened compared to scenarios without the subdominant millicharged dark matter.

Relic density and temperature evolution of a light dark sector

We have developed a set of four fully coupled Boltzmann equations to precisely determine the relic density and temperature of dark matter by including three distinct sectors: dark matter, light scalar, and standard model sectors. The intricacies of heat transfer between dark matter (DM) and the standard model sector through a light scalar particle are explored, inspired by stringent experimental constraints on the scalar-Higgs mixing angle and the DM-scalar coupling. Three distinct sectors emerge prior to DM freeze-out, requiring fully coupled Boltzmann equations to accurately compute relic density. Investigation of forbidden, resonance, and secluded DM scenarios demonstrates significant deviations between established methods and the novel approach with fully coupled Boltzmann equations. Despite increased computational demands, this emphasizes the need for improved precision in relic density calculations, underlining the importance of incorporating these equations in comprehensive analyses. Published by the American Physical Society 2024

Composite dark matter with forbidden annihilation

A dark matter model based on QCD-like SU(Nc) gauge theory with electroweakly interacting dark quarks is discussed. Assuming the dark quark mass m is smaller than the dynamical scale Λd ~ 4πfd, the main component of the dark matter is the lightest G-parity odd dark pion associated with chiral symmetry breaking in the dark sector. We show that nonzero dark quark mass induces the universal mass contribution to both G-parity odd and even pions, and their masses tend to be degenerate. As a result, dark pion annihilation into heavier G-parity even dark pion also affects the dark matter relic abundance. Thus, our setup naturally accommodates forbidden dark matter scenario and realizes heavy dark matter whose mass is O\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$ \\mathcal{O} $$\\end{document}(1–100) TeV, which is different from conventional electroweakly interacting dark matter such as minimal dark matter. We also discuss CP-violation from the θ-term in the dark gauge sector and find that the predicted size of the electron electric dipole moment can be as large as ∼ 10−32e cm.

Reconciling cosmological tensions with inelastic dark matter and dark radiation in a U(1) D framework

We propose a novel and comprehensive particle physics framework that addresses multiple cosmological tensions observed in recent measurements of the Hubble parameter, S 8, and Lyman-α forest data. Our model, termed `SIDR+z t ' (Self Interacting Dark Radiation with transition redshift), is based on an inelastic dark matter (IDM) scenario coupled with dark radiation, governed by a U(1) D gauge symmetry. This framework naturally incorporates cold dark matter (DM), strongly interacting dark radiation (SIDR), and the interactions between these components. The fluid-like behavior of the dark radiation component which originates from the self-quartic coupling of the U(1) D breaking scalar can suppress the free-streaming effects. Simultaneously, the interacting DM-DR system can attenuate the matter power spectrum at small scales. The inelastic nature of DM provides a distinct temperature dependence for the DM-DR interaction rate determined by the mass-splitting between the inelastic dark fermions which is crucial for resolving the Ly-α discrepancies. We present a cosmologically consistent analysis of the model by solving the relevant Boltzmann equations to obtain the energy density and number density evolution of different species of the model. The DR undergoes two “steps” of increased energy density when the heavier dark species freeze out and become non-relativistic, transferring their entropy to the dark radiation and enhancing ΔN eff. The analysis showcases the model's potential to uphold the Big Bang Nucleosynthesis (BBN) prediction of ΔN eff but dominantly producing additional contributions prior to recombination, while simultaneously achieving correct relic density of DM though an hybrid of freeze-in and non-thermal production.

Reopening the Z portal with semi-annihilations

In one-component dark matter (DM) scenarios is commonly assumed that a scalar weakly interacting massive particle must either be part of an SU(2)L multiplet with zero hypercharge or have suppressed vector interactions with the Z-gauge boson to circumvent stringent direct detection (DD) bounds. In this work, we demonstrate that multicomponent scenarios with a dark scalar doublet exhibiting vectorlike interactions with the Z boson are also compatible with bounds arising from DD searches. Specifically, we consider a simple extension of the Standard Model wherein the dark sector comprises a doublet and a complex singlet ϕ, both charged under a Z6 symmetry. We find that semi-annihilation processes drastically reduce the relic abundance of the neutral component of the doublet, H0, sufficiently attenuating the effects of its large Z-mediated elastic scattering cross-section with nucleons to satisfy the DD constraints. Although the contribution of H0 to the total relic abundance is nearly negligible, with ϕ dominating, both dark matter components are expected to be detectable in ongoing and future DD experiments. The viability of the model is tested against several theoretical and experimental constraints, resulting in a parameter space featuring a nondegenerate mass spectrum at the electroweak scale. Published by the American Physical Society 2024

Investigating higgsino dark matter in the semi-constrained NMSSM* *Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (12275066, 11605123)

In this study, we explored the characteristics of higgsino-dominated dark matter (DM) within the semi-constrained Next-to-Minimal Supersymmetric Standard Model (scNMSSM), covering a mass range from hundreds of GeV to several TeV. We carefully analyzed the parameter space under existing theoretical and experimental constraints to confirm the viability of higgsino-dominated lightest supersymmetric particles (LSPs) with masses between 100 GeV and 4 TeV. Our study examined various DM annihilation mechanisms, emphasizing the significant role of coannihilation with the next-to-lightest supersymmetric particle (NLSP), which includes other higgsino-dominated particles such as and . We categorize the annihilation processes into three main classes: coannihilation, Higgs funnel annihilation, and coannihilation. Each class combines interactions with . Our results indicate that achieving the correct relic density in heavier higgsino LSPs requires a combination of coannihilation and Higgs funnel mechanisms. We also assessed the potential of future experiments, such as XENONnT, LUX-ZEPLIN (LZ), PandaX-xT, and the Cherenkov Telescope Array (CTA), to probe these DM scenarios through direct and indirect detections. In particular, future spin-independent DM detections may cover all samples with the correct DM relic density for GeV. Furthermore, future colliders such as the International Linear Collider (ILC) and Compact Linear Collider (CLIC) are expected to exceed the detection capabilities of current hadron colliders, especially for higher mass NLSPs. Notably, CLIC, which will operate at 3000 GeV, is anticipated to enable thorough investigation of all samples with insufficient DM relic density for GeV.

Growth of matter perturbations in the interacting dark energy-dark matter scenarios

Growth of matter perturbations in the interacting dark energy-dark matter scenarios

Indirect probe of electroweak-interacting particles at the μTRISTAN μ+μ+ collider

A novel collider, called μTRISTAN, was recently proposed, offering the capability to achieve high-energy collisions of antimuons. This high-energy collider presents an exceptional opportunity for the discovery of electroweak-interacting massive particles (EWIMPs), which are predicted by various new physics models. In a lepton collider like μTRISTAN, the potential for discovering EWIMPs extends beyond their direct production. Quantum corrections arising from EWIMP loops can significantly enhance our prospects for discovery by precise measurement of Standard Model processes. This study focuses on the indirect detection method within the μTRISTAN experiment, with a specific emphasis on TeV-scale EWIMP dark matter scenarios that yield the correct thermal relic density. At collision energies for s=O(1–10) TeV, these EWIMPs introduce noticeable effects, typically in the range of O(0.1–1)%. Our findings indicate that at s=2(10) TeV, with an integrated luminosity of 10 ab−1, μTRISTAN can detect Higgsinos at a mass of 1.3 (3.0) TeV and winos at a mass of 1.9 (4.4) TeV, assuming an optimistic level of systematic uncertainty in the observation of the Standard Model processes. Published by the American Physical Society 2024

A relativistic scalar model for fractional interaction between dark matter and gravity

Abstract In a series of recent papers we put forward a “fractional gravity”
framework striking an intermediate course between a modified gravity theory and an
exotic dark matter (DM) scenario, which envisages the DM component in virialized
halos to feel a non-local interaction mediated by gravity. The remarkable success
of this model in reproducing several aspects of DM phenomenology motivates us to
look for a general relativistic extension. Specifically, we propose a theory, dubbed
Relativistic Scalar Fractional Gravity or RSFG, in which the trace of the DM stressenergy tensor couples to the scalar curvature via a non-local operator constructed with
a fractional power of the d’Alembertian. We derive the field equations starting from
an action principle, and then we investigate their weak field limit, demonstrating that
in the Newtonian approximation the fractional gravity setup of our previous works is
recovered. We compute the first-order post-Newtonian parameter γ and its relation
with weak lensing, showing that although in RSFG the former deviates from its GR
values of unity, the latter is unaffected. We also perform a standard scalar-vectortensor-decomposition of RSFG in the weak field limit, to highlight that gravitational
waves propagate at the speed of light, though also an additional scalar mode becomes
dynamical. Finally, we derive the modified conservation laws of the DM stress energy
tensor in RSFG, showing that a new non-local force emerges, and hence that the DM
fluid deviates from the geodesic solutions of the field equations.

Phase space analysis of torsion cosmology

In this paper, we study the dynamical stability analysis by considering the torsion field [Formula: see text] which is proportional to the Hubble parameter and barotropic equation-of-state parameter in the framework of the homogenous and isotropic FLRW metric with non-zero torsion in the scenario of dark matter and dark energy interacting terms. We discuss the stability of the critical points corresponding to the eigenvalues in the presence of dust and radiation at quintessence, [Formula: see text]CDM and phantom regimes by utilizing the different linear and nonlinear interaction models which depend on the energy density. As a result, we observe that the first linear model shows the stable behavior throughout the universe for dust and radiation phase. The other linear and nonlinear models show the stable critical points, computing with the eigenvalues at phantom and [Formula: see text]CDM era with the best fit value of interaction strength and coupling constant for dust and radiation.

A systematic investigation on dark matter-electron scattering in effective field theories

In this paper, we systematically investigate the general dark matter-electron interactions within the framework of effective field theories (EFTs). We consider both the non-relativistic (NR) EFT and the relativistic EFT descriptions of the interactions with the spin of dark matter (DM) up to one, i.e., the scalar (ϕ), fermion (χ), and vector (X) DM scenarios. We first collect the leading-order NR EFT operators describing the DM-electron interactions, and construct especially the NR operators for the vector DM case. Next, we consider all possible leading-order relativistic EFT operators including those with a photon field and perform the NR reduction to match them onto the NR EFT. Then we rederive the DM-bound-electron scattering rate within the NR EFT framework and find that the matrix element squared, which is the key input that encodes the DM and atomic information, can be compactly decomposed into three terms. Each term is a product of a DM response function (a0,1,2), which is essentially a factor of Wilson coefficients squared, and its corresponding generalized atomic response function W~0,1,2\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$ \\left({\\overset{\\sim }{W}}_{0,1,2}\\right) $$\\end{document}. Lastly, we employ the electron recoil data from the DM direct detection experiments (including XENON10, XENON1T, and PandaX-4T) to constrain all the non-relativistic and relativistic operators in all three DM scenarios. We set strong bounds on the DM-electron interactions in the sub-GeV region. Particularly, we find that the latest PandaX-4T S2-only data provide stringent constraints on dark matter with a mass greater than approximately 20 MeV, surpassing those from the previous XENON10 and XENON1T experiments.

Nonmetric geometric flows and quasicrystalline topological phases for dark energy and dark matter in f(Q)\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$f(Q)$$\\end{document} cosmology

We elaborate on nonmetric geometric flow theory and metric-affine gravity with applications in modern cosmology. Two main motivations for our research follow from the facts that (1) cosmological models for f(Q) modified gravity theories, MGTs, are efficient for describing recent observational data provided by the James Webb Space Telescope; and (2) the statistical thermodynamic properties of such nonmetric locally anisotropic cosmological models can be studied using generalizations of the concept of G. Perelman entropy. We derive nonmetric distorted R. Hamilton and Ricci soliton equations in such canonical nonholonomic variables when corresponding systems of nonlinear PDEs can be decoupled and integrated in general off-diagonal forms. This is possible if we develop and apply the anholonomic frame and connection deformation method involving corresponding types of generating functions and generating sources encoding nonmetric distortions. Using such generic off-diagonal solutions (when the coefficients of metrics and connections may depend generically on all spacetime coordinates), we model accelerating cosmological scenarios with quasi-periodic gravitational and (effective) matter fields; and study topological and nonlinear geometric properties of respective dark energy and dark matter, DE and DM, models. As explicit examples, we analyze some classes of nonlinear symmetries defining topological quasicrystal, QC, phases which can modified to generate other types of quasi-periodic and locally anisotropic structures. The conditions when such nonlinear systems possess a behaviour which is similar to that of the Lambda cold dark matter (Λ\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$\\Lambda $$\\end{document}CDM) scenario are stated. We conclude that nonmetric geometric and cosmological flows can be considered as an alternative to the Λ\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$\\Lambda $$\\end{document}CDM concordance models and speculate on how such theories can be elaborated. This is a partner work with generalizations and applications of the results published by Bubuianu, Vacaru et all. EPJC 84 (2024) 211; 80 (2020) 639; 78 (2018) 393; 78 (2018) 969; and CQG 35 (2018) 245009.

Toward more realistic mass functions for ultradense dark matter halos

Ultradense dark matter halos (UDMHs) are high concentrations of dark matter, assumed to have formed deep in the radiation-dominated era from amplified primordial perturbations. In this work we improve the previous works for the calculation of UDMH abundance by elaborating on the formation process of these halos by including various physical and geometrical modifications in the analysis. In particular, we investigate the impact of angular momentum, dynamical friction and triaxial collapse on the predicted mass functions for UDMHs. We perform the calculations for four primordial power spectra with different amplified features that allow for primordial black hole and UDHM formation in wide and narrow mass ranges. We also apply this analysis in the context of two possible scenarios for dark matter: the single-component and the multi-component. We find that the abundance of UDMHs is prominently enhanced in the presence of these more realistic mass functions.

Troubles mounting for multipolar dark matter

In this paper, we revisit the experimental constraints on the multipolar dark matter that has derivative coupling to the visible sector mediated by the Standard Model photon. The momentum dependent interaction enables them to be captured efficiently within massive celestial bodies boosted by their steep gravitational potential. This phenomena makes compact celestial bodies as an efficient target to probe such type of dark matter candidates. We demonstrate that a synergy of the updated direct detection results from DarkSide-50 and LUX-ZEPLIN together with IceCube bounds on high energy solar neutrinos from dark matter capture disfavour the viable parameter space of the dipolar dark matter scenario. Whereas, for the anapole dark matter scenario, a narrow window survives that lies within the reach of prospective heating signals due to the capture of dark matter at cold neutron stars.

Singlet Dirac dark matter streamlined

We propose a new and compact realization of singlet Dirac dark matter within the WIMP framework. Our model replaces the standard Z 2 stabilizing symmetry with a Z 6, and uses spontaneous symmetry breaking to generate the dark matter mass, resulting in a much simplified scenario for Dirac dark matter. Concretely, we extend the Standard Model (SM) with just two new particles, a Dirac fermion (the dark matter) and a real scalar, both charged under the Z 6 symmetry. After acquiring a vacuum expectation value, the scalar gives mass to the dark matter and mixes with the Higgs boson, providing the link between the dark sector and the SM particles. With only four free parameters, this new model is extremely simple and predictive. We study the dark matter density as a function of the model's free parameters and use a likelihood approach to determine its viable parameter space. Our results demonstrate that the dark matter mass can be as large as 6 TeV while remaining consistent with all known theoretical and experimental bounds. In addition, a large fraction of viable models turns out to lie within the sensitivity of future direct detection experiments, furnishing a promising way to test this appealing scenario.

Particle dark matter versus modified gravity

There are at least two possible solutions to the so-called Dark Matter problem. One is to introduce new particles and another one is to modify gravity. In these proceedings of the 182nd Nobel Symposium on dark matter, I question the particle dark matter hypothesis in light of new developments in the gravity sector. To this effect, I review how the CMB anisotropies and the details of structure formation have been used to test the dark matter microscopic properties. I explain how this has led to challenge the Hut-Lee & Weinberg argument and the introduction of light (thermal) dark matter scenarios and dark photon/light Z′. These developments have ultimately paved the way for a comprehensive exploration of the entire dark matter mass spectrum. I then discuss a new theory of modified gravity that appears to be a novel alternative to particle dark matter and ask the question: how to distinguish the two? I expect this question to become extremely relevant in absence of dark matter particle detection in Earth based experiments and in presence of ambiguous astrophysical and cosmological signals.

Hunting for hypercharge anapole dark matter in all spin scenarios

We conduct a combined analysis to investigate dark matter (DM) with hypercharge anapole moments, focusing on scenarios where Majorana DM particles with spin 1/2, 1, 3/2, and 2 interact exclusively with Standard Model particles through U(1)Y hypercharge anapole terms for the first time. For completeness, we construct general effective U(1) gauge-invariant three-point vertices. These enable the generation of hypercharge gauge-invariant interaction vertices for both a virtual photon γ and a virtual Z boson with two identical massive Majorana particles of any nonzero spin s, after the spontaneous breaking of electroweak gauge symmetry. For complementarity, we adopt effective operators tailored to each dark matter spin allowing crossing symmetry. We calculate the relic abundance, analyze current constraints and future sensitivities from dark matter direct detection and collider experiments, and apply the conceptual naive perturbativity bound. Our estimations based on a generalized vertex calculation demonstrate that the scenario with a higher-spin DM is more stringently constrained than a lower-spin DM, primarily due to the reduced annihilation cross section and/or the enhanced rate of LHC monojet events. As a remarkable outcome, the spin-2 anapole DM scenario is almost entirely excluded, while the high-luminosity LHC exhibits high sensitivities in probing spin-1 and -3/2 scenarios, except for a tiny parameter range of DM mass around 1 TeV. A significant portion of the remaining parameter space in the spin-1/2 DM scenario can be explored through upcoming Xenon experiments, with more than 20 ton-yr exposure equivalent to approximately 5 years of running the XENONnT experiment. Published by the American Physical Society 2024

Dissipative Dark Substructure: The Consequences of Atomic Dark Matter on Milky Way Analog Subhalos

Abstract Using cosmological hydrodynamical zoom-in simulations, we explore the properties of subhalos in Milky Way analogs that contain a subcomponent of atomic dark matter (ADM). ADM differs from cold dark matter (CDM) due to the presence of self-interactions that lead to energy dissipation, analogous to standard model baryons. This model can arise in dark sectors that are natural and theoretically motivated extensions to the standard model. The simulations used in this work were carried out using GIZMO and utilize the FIRE-2 galaxy formation physics in the standard model baryonic sector. For the parameter points we consider, the ADM gas cools efficiently, allowing it to collapse to the center of subhalos. This increases a subhalo’s central density and affects its orbit, with more subhalos surviving small pericentric passages. The subset of subhalos that host satellite galaxies have cuspier density profiles and smaller stellar half-mass radii relative to CDM. The entire population of dwarf galaxies produced in the ADM simulations is more compact than those seen in CDM simulations, unable to reproduce the entire diversity of observed dwarf galaxy structures. Additionally, we also identify a population of highly compact subhalos that consist nearly entirely of ADM and form in the central region of the host, where they can leave distinctive imprints in the baryonic disk. This work presents the first detailed exploration of subhalo properties in a strongly dissipative dark matter scenario, providing intuition for how other regions of ADM parameter space, as well as other dark sector models, would impact galactic-scale observables.

Constraining hot dark matter sub-species with weak lensing and the cosmic microwave background radiation

Although it is well known that the bulk of dark matter (DM) has to be cold, the existence of an additional sub-dominant, hot species remains a valid possibility. In this paper we investigate the potential of the cosmic shear power spectrum to constrain such a mixed (hot plus cold) DM scenario with two additional free parameters, the hot-to-total DM fraction ($f_ hdm $) and the thermal mass of the hot component ($m_ hdm $). Running a Bayesian inference analysis for both the Kilo-Degree Survey cosmic shear data ( as well as the cosmic microwave background (CMB) temperature and polarisation data from Planck we derive new constraints for the mixed DM scenario. We find a 95 per cent confidence limit of $f_ hdm <0.08$ for a very hot species of $m_ hdm eV. This constraint is weakened to hdm <0.25$ for $m_ hdm eV. Scenarios with masses above hdm eV remain unconstrained by the data. Next to providing limits, we investigate the potential of mixed DM to address the clustering (or $S_8$) tension between lensing and the CMB. We find a reduction of the 2D ($ - S_8$) tension from 2.9sigma to 1.6sigma when going from a pure cold DM to a mixed DM scenario. When computing the 1D Gaussian tension on $S_8$ the improvement is milder, from 2.4sigma to 2.0sigma