Instabilities in dark coupled models and constraints from cosmological data

Coupled dark matter-dark energy systems can suffer from non-adiabatic instabilities at early times and large scales. In these proceedings, we consider two parameterizations of the dark sector interaction. In the first one the energy-momentum transfer 4-vector is parallel to the dark matter 4-velocity and in the second one to the dark energy 4-velocity. In these cases, coupled models which suffer from non-adiabatic instabilities can be identified as a function of a generic coupling Q and of the dark energy equation of state. In our analysis, we do not refer to any particular cosmic field. We confront then a viable class of models in which the interaction is directly proportional to the dark energy density and to the Hubble rate parameter to recent cosmological data. In that framework, we show that correlations between the dark coupling and several cosmological parameters allow for a larger neutrino mass than in uncoupled models.Comment: To be published in the proceedings of the Invisible Universe International Conference (Paris, 29 June - 3 July 2009

Supersymmetric U(1) Gauge Realization of the Dark Scalar Doublet Model of Radiative Neutrino Mass

Adding a second scalar doublet (eta^+,eta^0) and three neutral singlet fermions N_{1,2,3} to the Standard Model of particle interactions with a new Z_2 symmetry, it has been shown that Re(eta^0) or Im(eta^0) is a good dark-matter candidate and seesaw neutrino masses are generated radiatively. A supersymmetric U(1) gauge extension of this new idea is proposed, which enforces the usual R parity of the Minimal Supersymmetric Standard Model, and allows this new Z_2 symmetry to emerge as a discrete remnant.Comment: 8 pages, 3 figure

Utility of a Special Second Scalar Doublet

This Brief Review deals with the recent resurgence of interest in adding a second scalar doublet (eta^+,eta^0) to the Standard Model of particle interactions. In most studies, it is taken for granted that eta^0 should have a nonzero vacuum expectation value, even if it may be very small. What if there is an exactly conserved symmetry which ensures =0? The phenomenological ramifications of this idea include dark matter, radiative neutrino mass, leptogenesis, and grand unification.Comment: 9 pages, 1 figur

Radion Assisted Gauge Inflation

We propose an extension to the recently proposed extranatural or gauge inflation scenario in which the radius modulus field around which the Wilson loop is wrapped assists inflation as it shrinks. We discuss how this might lead to more generic initial conditions for inflation.Comment: 10 pages, 2 figure

Biases on cosmological parameters by general relativity effects

General relativistic corrections to the galaxy power spectrum appearing at the horizon scale, if neglected, may induce biases on the measured values of the cosmological parameters. In this paper, we study the impact of general relativistic effects on non standard cosmologies such as scenarios with a time dependent dark energy equation of state, with a coupling between the dark energy and the dark matter fluids or with non-Gaussianities. We then explore whether general relativistic corrections affect future constraints on cosmological parameters in the case of a constant dark energy equation of state and of non-Gaussianities. We find that relativistic corrections on the power spectrum are not expected to affect the foreseen errors on the cosmological parameters nor to induce large biases on them.Comment: 17 pages, 5 figures, one added figure, results of Tab. I revised, version accepted for publication in PR

Singlet fermion dark matter and electroweak baryogenesis with radiative neutrino mass

The model of radiative neutrino mass with dark matter proposed by one of us is extended to include a real singlet scalar field. There are then two important new consequences. One is the realistic possibility of having the lightest neutral singlet fermion (instead of the lightest neutral component of the dark scalar doublet) as the dark matter of the Universe. The other is a modification of the effective Higgs potential of the Standard Model, consistent with electroweak baryogenesis.Comment: 9 pages, no figure

The singlet scalar as FIMP dark matter

The singlet scalar model is a minimal extension of the Standard Model that can explain the dark matter. We point out that in this model the dark matter constraint can be satisfied not only in the already considered WIMP regime but also, for much smaller couplings, in the Feebly Interacting Massive Particle (FIMP) regime. In it, dark matter particles are slowly produced in the early Universe but are never abundant enough to reach thermal equilibrium or annihilate among themselves. This alternative framework is as simple and predictive as the WIMP scenario but it gives rise to a completely different dark matter phenomenology. After reviewing the calculation of the dark matter relic density in the FIMP regime, we study in detail the evolution of the dark matter abundance in the early Universe and the predicted relic density as a function of the parameters of the model. A new dark matter compatible region of the singlet model is identified, featuring couplings of order 10^-11 to 10^-12 for singlet masses in the GeV to TeV range. As a consequence, no signals at direct or indirect detection experiments are expected. The relevance of this new viable region for the correct interpretation of recent experimental bounds is emphasized.Comment: 12 pages, 6 figure

Axionic Extensions of the Supersymmetric Standard Model

The Supersymmetric Standard Model is a benchmark theoretical framework for particle physics, yet it suffers from a number of deficiencies, chief among which is the strong CP problem. Solving this with an axion in the context of selected new particles, it is shown in three examples that other problems go away automatically as well, resulting in (-)^L and (-)^{3B} conservation, viable combination of two dark-matter candidates, successful baryogenesis, seesaw neutrino masses, and verifiable experimental consequences at the TeV energy scale.Comment: 12 pages, 1 figur

A new viable region of the inert doublet model

The inert doublet model, a minimal extension of the Standard Model by a second Higgs doublet, is one of the simplest and most attractive scenarios that can explain the dark matter. In this paper, we demonstrate the existence of a new viable region of the inert doublet model featuring dark matter masses between Mw and about 160 GeV. Along this previously overlooked region of the parameter space, the correct relic density is obtained thanks to cancellations between different diagrams contributing to dark matter annihilation into gauge bosons (W+W- and ZZ). First, we explain how these cancellations come about and show several examples illustrating the effect of the parameters of the model on the cancellations themselves and on the predicted relic density. Then, we perform a full scan of the new viable region and analyze it in detail by projecting it onto several two-dimensional planes. Finally, the prospects for the direct and the indirect detection of inert Higgs dark matter within this new viable region are studied. We find that present direct detection bounds already rule out a fraction of the new parameter space and that future direct detection experiments, such as Xenon100, will easily probe the remaining part in its entirety.Comment: 27 pages, 16 figure