Generalized mirror matter models

Non-minimal gauge models with exact unbroken improper space-time symmetries are constructed and their cosmological and astrophysical implications explored.Comment: about 5 page

A CoGeNT confirmation of the DAMA signal

The CoGeNT collaboration has recently reported a rising low energy spectrum in their ultra low noise germanium detector. This is particularly interesting as the energy range probed by CoGeNT overlaps with the energy region in which DAMA has observed their annual modulation signal. We show that the mirror dark matter candidate can simultaneously explain both the DAMA annual modulation signal and the rising low energy spectrum observed by CoGeNT. This constitutes a model dependent confirmation of the DAMA signal and adds weight to the mirror dark matter paradigm.Comment: About 8 pages, expanded and update

A mirror world explanation for the Pioneer spacecraft anomalies?

We show that the anomalous acceleration of the Pioneer 10/11 spacecraft can be explained if there is some mirror gas or mirror dust in our solar system.Comment: Latex, 7 pages, accepted in Phys. Lett.

Electroweak Higgs as a pseudo-Goldstone boson of broken scale invariance

We point out that it is possible to associate the electroweak Higgs boson with the pseudo-Goldstone boson of broken scale invariance, thus resolving the hierarchy problem in a technically natural way. We illustrate this idea with two specific gauge models. Besides being consistent with all currently available experimental data, both models maintain the predictive power of the standard model, since the first model has only one additional parameter beyond the standard model, and the second has the same number of free parameters as the standard model.Comment: 11 pages, discussion added, the version to appear in Phys. Lett.

Detecting mirror matter on Earth via its thermal imprint on ordinary matter

Mirror matter type dark matter can exist on the Earth's surface, potentially in enhanced concentrations at various anomalous impact sites. Mirror matter fragments can draw in heat from the ordinary matter environment, radiate mirror photons and thereby cool the surrounding ordinary matter. We quantify this effect and suggest that it could be used to help locate mirror matter deposits. This method, together with the centrifuge technique, seems to provide the most promising means to experimentally detect mirror matter type dark matter in the Earth.Comment: 9 page

Have mirror micrometeorites been detected?

Slow-moving ($v \sim 15$ km/s) 'dark matter particles' have allegedly been discovered in a recent experiment. We explore the possibility that these slow moving dark matter particles are small mirror matter dust particles originating from our solar system. Ways of further testing our hypothesis, including the possibility of observing these dust particles in cryogenic detectors such as NAUTILUS, are also discussed.Comment: Few changes, about 8 pages lon