Multipartite Dark Matter with Scalars, Fermions and signatures at LHC

Basic idea of this analysis is to achieve a two-component dark matter (DM) framework composed of a scalar and a fermion, with non-negligible DM-DM interaction contributing to thermal freeze out (hence relic density), but hiding them from direct detection bounds. We therefore augment the Standard Model (SM) with a scalar singlet ($S$) and three vectorlike fermions: two singlets ($\chi_1,\chi_2$) and a doublet ($N$). Stability of the two DM components is achieved by a discrete $\mathcal{Z}_2 \times {\mathcal{Z}^\prime}_2$ symmetry, under which the additional fields transform suitably. Fermion fields having same $\mathcal{Z}_2 \times {\mathcal{Z}^\prime}_2$ charge ($N,\chi_1$ in the model) mix after electroweak symmetry breaking (EWSB) and the lightest component becomes one of the DM candidates, while scalar singlet $S$ is the other DM component connected to visible sector by Higgs portal coupling. The heavy fermion ($\chi_2$) plays the role of mediator to connect the two DM candidates through Yukawa interaction. This opens up a large parameter space for the heavier DM component through DM-DM conversion. Hadronically quiet dilepton signature, arising from the fermion dark sector, can be observed at Large Hadron Collider (LHC) aided by the presence of a lighter scalar DM component, satisfying relic density and direct search bounds through DM-DM conversion.Comment: A section discussing the possible connection to inflation is added. The version is published in JHE

Interplay among gravitational waves, dark matter and collider signals in the singlet scalar extended type-II seesaw model

We study the prospect of simultaneous explanation of tiny neutrino masses, dark matter (DM), and the observed baryon asymmetry of the Universe in a $Z_3$-symmetric complex singlet scalar extended type-II seesaw model. The complex singlet scalar plays the role of DM. Analyzing the thermal history of the model, we identify the region of the parameter space that can generate a first-order electroweak phase transition (FOEWPT) in the early Universe, and the resulting stochastic gravitational waves (GW) can be detected at future space/ground-based GW experiments. First, we find that light triplet scalars do favor an FOEWPT. In our study, we choose the type-II seesaw part of the parameter space in such a way that light triplet scalars, especially the doubly charged ones, evade the strong bounds from their canonical searches at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC). However, the relevant part of the parameter space, where FOEWPT can happen only due to strong SM doublet-triplet interactions, is in tension with the SM-like Higgs decay to a pair of photons, which has already excluded the bulk of this parameter space. On the other hand, the latest spin-independent DM direct detection constraints from XENON-1T and PANDA-4T eliminate a significant amount of parameter space relevant for the dark sector assisted FOEWPT scenarios, and it is only possible when the complex scalar DM is significantly underabundant. In short, we conclude from our analysis that the absence of new physics at the HL-LHC and/or various DM experiments in the near future will severely limit the prospects of detecting a stochastic GW at future GW experiments and will exclude the possibility of electroweak baryogenesis within this model.Comment: 62 pages, 18 figures, 8 tables. Matches version accepted for publication in JHE

Reviving sub-TeV SU(2)LSU(2)_L lepton doublet Dark Matter

In this work we study the hybrid kind of dark matter(DM) production mechanism where both thermal and non-thermal contribution at two different epochs set the DM relic abundance. This hybrid set up in turn shifts the parameter space of DM in contrast to pure thermal DM scenario. We review such production mechanism in the context of the $SU(2)_L$ lepton doublet dark matter ($\Psi$) augmented with an additional singlet dark scalar ($S$). The neutral component of the dark doublet can serve as a stable DM candidate and in pure thermal scenario, it is under-abundant as well as excluded from direct detection constraints due to its strong gauge interactions in the sub-TeV mass regime. However, in addition to the thermal contribution, the late time non-thermal DM production from the decay of the long-lived dark scalar $S$ helps to fulfill the deficit in DM abundance. On the other hand, the strong gauge mediated direct detection constraint can be evaded with the help of a $SU(2)_L$ triplet scalar(with $Y=2$), resulting a pseudo-Dirac DM. To realize our proposed scenario we impose a discrete $\mathcal{Z}_2$ symmetry under which both $\Psi$ and $S$ are odd while rest of the fields are even. We find the lepton doublet pseudo-Dirac DM with mass $\sim 550-1200$ GeV, compatible with the observed relic density, direct, indirect, and existing collider search constraints.Comment: 15 page

Mitigating Direct Detection Bounds in Non-minimal Higgs Portal Scalar Dark Matter Models

Minimal scalar Higgs portal dark matter model is increasingly in tension with recent results form direct detection experiments like LUX and XENON. In this paper we make a systematic study of minimal extension of the $\mathbb{Z}_2$ stabilised singlet scalar Higgs portal scenario in terms of their prospects at direct detection experiments. We consider both enlarging the stabilising symmetry to $\mathbb{Z}_3$ and incorporating multipartite features in the dark sector. We demonstrate that in these non-minimal models the interplay of annihilation, co-annihilation and semi-annihilation processes considerably relax constraints from present and proposed direct detection experiments while simultaneously saturating observed dark matter relic density. We explore in particular the resonant semi-annihilation channel within the multipartite $\mathbb{Z}_3$ framework which results in new unexplored regions of parameter space that would be difficult to constrain by direct detection experiments in the near future. The role of dark matter exchange processes within multi-component $\mathbb{Z}_3 \times \mathbb{Z}_3'$ framework is illustrated. We make quantitative estimates to elucidate the role of the various annihilation processes in the different allowed regions of parameter space of these models.Comment: 31 pages, 15 figures, added brief discussion on vaccum stability and unitarity; minor changes in the text; updated references; typos fixed; matches published versio

CMB signature of non-thermal Dark Matter produced from self-interacting dark sector

The basic idea of this work is to achieve the observed relic density of a non-thermal dark matter(DM) and its connection with Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB) via additional relativistic degrees of freedom which are simultaneously generated during the period $T_{\rm BBN}~{\rm to}~T_{\rm CMB}$ from a long-lived dark sector particle. To realize this phenomena we minimally extend the type-I seesaw scenario with a Dirac fermion singlet($\chi$) and a complex scalar singlet ($\varphi$) which transform non-trivially under an unbroken symmetry $\mathcal{Z}_3$. $\chi$ being the lightest particle in the dark sector acts as a stable dark matter candidate while the next to lightest state $\varphi$ operates like a long lived dark scalar particle. The initial density of $\varphi$ can be thermally produced through either self-interacting number changing processes ($3 \varphi \to 2 \varphi$) within dark sector or the standard annihilation to SM particles ($2 \varphi \to 2~ {\rm SM}$). The late time (after neutrino decoupling) non-thermal decay of $\varphi$ can produce dark matter in association with active neutrinos. The presence of extra relativistic neutrino degrees of freedom at the time of CMB can have a significant impact on $\Delta \rm N_{eff}$. Thus the precise measurement of $\Delta \rm N_{ eff}$ by current PLANCK 2018 collaboration and future experiments like SPT-3G and CMB-S4 can indirectly probe this non-thermal dark matter scenario which is otherwise completely secluded due to its tiny coupling with the standard model.Comment: Accepted for publication in JCA

Fermion Dark Matter with Scalar Triplet at Direct and Collider Searches

Fermion dark matter (DM) as an admixture of additional singlet and doublet vector like fermions provides an attractive and allowed framework by relic density and direct search constraints within TeV scale, although limited by its discovery potential at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC). An extension of the model with scalar triplet can yield neutrino masses and provide some cushion to the direct search constraint of the DM through pseudo-Dirac mass splitting. This in turn, allow the model to live in a larger region of the parameter space and open the door for detection at LHC, even if slightly. The model however can see an early discovery at International Linear Collider (ILC) without too much of fine-tuning. The complementarity of LHC, ILC and direct search prospect of this framework is studied in this paper.Comment: 55 pages, 28 figures, version accepted in PR