Pionic Dark Matter

We study a phenomenological model where the lightest dark matter (DM) particles are the pseudo-Goldstone excitations associated with a spontaneously broken symmetry, and transforming linearly with respect to an unbroken group H. For definiteness we take H = SU(N) and assume the Goldstone particles are bosons; in parallel with QCD, we refer to these particles as dark-matter pions. This scenario is in contrast to the common assumption that DM fields transform linearly under the full symmetry of the model. We illustrate the formalism by treating in detail the case of H = SU(2), in particular we calculate all the interactions relevant for the Boltzmann equations, which we solve numerically; we also derive approximate analytic solutions and show their consistency with the numerical results. We then compare the results with the constraints derived from the cold DM and direct detection experiments and derive the corresponding restrictions on the model parameters.Comment: 35 pages, 15 figure

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

Two-Component Dark Matter

We study an extension of the Standard Model (SM) with two interacting cold Dark Matter (DM) candidates: a neutral Majorana fermion ($\nu$) and a neutral scalar singlet ($\varphi$). The scalar $\varphi$ interacts with the SM through the "Higgs portal" coupling while $\nu$ at the tree level interacts only with $\varphi$ through Yukawa interactions. The relic abundance of $\nu$ and $\varphi$ is found by solving the Boltzmann equations numerically; for the case $m_\nu > m_\varphi$ we also derive a reliable approximate analytical solution. Effects of the interaction between the two DM components are discussed. A scan over the parameter space is performed to determine the regions consistent with the WMAP data for DM relic abundance, and with the XENON100 direct detection limits for the DM-nucleus cross section. We find that although a large region of the parameter space is allowed by the WMAP constraints, the XENON100 data severely restricts the parameter space. Taking into account only amplitudes generated at the tree level one finds three allowed regions for the scalar mass: $m_\varphi \sim 62.5$ GeV (corresponding to the vicinity of the Higgs boson resonance responsible for $\varphi\varphi$ annihilation into SM particles), $m_\varphi \simeq 130-140$ GeV and m_\varphi \gesim 3 TeV. 1-loop induced $\nu$-nucleon scattering has been also calculated and discussed. A possibility of DM direct detection by the CREST-II experiment was considered.Comment: 22 pages, 17 figures; v2: references added, published in JHEP, v3: misspelled authors name correcte