A Weakly Interacting Massive Particle (WIMP) provides an attractive dark matter candidate, and should be within reach of the next generation of high-energy colliders. We consider the process of direct WIMP pair-production, accompanied by an initial-state radiation photon, in electron-positron collisions at the proposed International Linear Collider (ILC). We present a parametrization of the differential cross section for this process which conveniently separates the model-independent information provided by cosmology from the model-dependent inputs from particle physics. As an application, we consider two simple models, one supersymmetric, and another of the "universal extra dimensions" (UED) type. The discovery reach of the ILC and the expected precision of parameter measurements are studied in each model. In addition, for each of the two examples, we also investigate the ability of the ILC to distinguish between the two models through a shape-discrimination analysis of the photon energy spectrum. We show that with sufficient beam polarization the alternative model interpretation can be ruled out in a large part of the relevant parameter space.
Light WIMP dark matter and hidden sector dark matter have been proposed to explain the DAMA, CoGeNT and CRESST-II data. Both of these approaches feature spin independent elastic scattering of dark matter particles on nuclei. Light WIMP dark matter invokes a single particle species which interacts with ordinary matter via contact interactions. By contrast hidden sector dark matter is typically multi-component and is assumed to interact via the exchange of a massless mediator. Such hidden sector dark matter thereby predicts a sharply rising nuclear recoil spectrum, $dR/dE_R \sim 1/E_R^2$ due to …
We consider the Peccei-Quinn (PQ) mechanism as the one behind the Dirac neutrino masses when these are generated through the $d=5$ effective operator $\bar{L}\tilde{H}N_Rϕ$ at one loop level, with $ϕ$ being a Standard Model singlet scalar. In this setup, the PQ symmetry guarantees that the one-loop realization of such an effective operator gives the leading contribution to the Dirac neutrino masses by forbidding the contributions arising from its tree level realizations. All the mediators in the one-loop neutrino mass diagrams can be stabilized by a remnant $Z_N$ symmetry from the PQ symmetry …
We comprehensively study experimental constraints and prospects for a class of minimal hidden sector dark matter (DM) models, highlighting how the cosmological history of these models informs the experimental signals. We study simple "secluded" models, where the DM freezes out into unstable dark mediator states, and consider the minimal cosmic history of this dark sector, where coupling of the dark mediator to the SM was sufficient to keep the two sectors in thermal equilibrium at early times. In the well-motivated case where the dark mediators couple to the Standard Model (SM) via renormaliza…
The LHCb collaboration has recently reported on some anomalies in $b\to s$ transitions. In addition to discrepancies with the Standard Model (SM) predictions in some angular observables and branching ratios, an intriguing hint for lepton universality violation was found. Here we propose a simple model that extends the SM with a dark sector charged under an additional $U(1)$ gauge symmetry. The spontaneous breaking of this symmetry gives rise to a massive $Z^\prime$ boson, which communicates the SM particles with a valid dark matter candidate, while solving the $b\to s$ anomalies with contribut…
We study dark matter production in scenarios where a scale invariant hidden sector interacts with the Standard Model degrees of freedom via a Higgs portal $λΦ^\daggerΦs^2$. If the hidden sector is very weakly coupled to the SM but exhibits strong interactions within its own particle species, the dark matter abundance may arise as a result of a dark freeze-out occurring in the hidden sector. Because of scale invariance, the free parameters in the hidden sector are determined and the dark matter candidate exhibits a 'WIMP miracle of the second kind'. Demonstrating the predictive power of scale i…
In anomaly-mediated supersymmetry breaking (AMSB) models, superpartner masses are proportional to couplings squared. Their hidden sectors therefore naturally contain WIMPless dark matter, particles whose thermal relic abundance is guaranteed to be of the correct size, even though they are not weakly-interacting massive particles (WIMPs). We study viable dark matter candidates in WIMPless AMSB models with non-Abelian hidden sectors and highlight unusual possibilities that emerge in even the simplest models. In one example with a pure SU(N) hidden sector, stable hidden gluinos freeze out with th…
We present a model with dark matter in an anomaly-mediated supersymmetry breaking hidden sector with a U(1)xU(1) gauge symmetry. The symmetries of the model stabilize the dark matter and forbid the introduction of new mass parameters. As a result, the thermal relic density is completely determined by the gravitino mass and dimensionless couplings. Assuming non-hierarchical couplings, the thermal relic density is ~ 0.1, independent of the dark matter's mass and interaction strength, realizing the WIMPless miracle. The model has several striking features. For particle physics, stability of the d…
Dark matter may be hidden, with no standard model gauge interactions. At the same time, in WIMPless models with hidden matter masses proportional to hidden gauge couplings squared, the hidden dark matter's thermal relic density may naturally be in the right range, preserving the key quantitative virtue of WIMPs. We consider this possibility in detail. We first determine model-independent constraints on hidden sectors from Big Bang nucleosynthesis and the cosmic microwave background. Contrary to conventional wisdom, large hidden sectors are easily accommodated. A flavour-free version of the sta…
In anomaly-mediated supersymmetry breaking, superpartners in a hidden sector have masses that are proportional to couplings squared, and so naturally freeze out with the desired dark matter relic density for a large range of masses. We present an extremely simple realization of this possibility, with WIMPless dark matter arising from a hidden sector that is supersymmetric QED with N_F flavors. Dark matter is multi-component, composed of hidden leptons and sleptons with masses anywhere from 10 GeV to 10 TeV, and hidden photons provide the thermal bath. The dark matter self-interacts through hid…
We study under which conditions a scalar particle is a viable WIMP Dark Matter candidate with Higgs and dilaton interactions. The theory is a composite Higgs model with top partial compositeness where both the Higgs and the Dark Matter candidate arise as pseudo Goldstone boson of the coset SO(6)/SO(5) from a new physics sector. We highlight the role of the dilaton in direct and indirect searches. We find that a Dark Matter particle with a mass around 200-400 GeV and a relatively light dilaton are a fair prediction of the model.
Dark matter (DM) without a matter asymmetry is studied in the context of Twin Higgs (TH) theories in which the LHC naturalness problem is addressed. These possess a twin sector related to the Standard Model (SM) by a (broken) $\mathbb{Z}_2$ symmetry, and interacting with the SM via a specific Higgs portal. We focus on the minimal realisation of the TH mechanism, the Fraternal Twin Higgs, with only a single generation of twin quarks and leptons, and $SU(3)'\times SU(2)'$ gauge group. We show that a variety of natural twin-WIMP DM candidates are present (directly linked to the weak scale by natu…
The flavour-changing neutral current transition b \to s can serve as a sensitive probe of WIMP dark matter models, if the WIMP mass is under 2 GeV. In this work we extend our earlier analysis to a generic class of models where the interaction between the dark matter sector and the Standard Model matter sector is mediated by the Higgs boson(s). We show that experimental limits on the decays of B-mesons to K(K^*) and missing energy provide stringent constraints on the parameter space of such models, but do not rule out sub-GeV WIMPs in a model-independent way. We find that in the context of the …
The secluded dark matter resides within a hidden sector and self-annihilates into lighter mediators which subsequently decay to the Standard Model (SM) particles. Depending on the coupling strength of the mediator to the SM, the hidden sector can be kinetically decoupled from the SM bath when the temperature drops below the mediator's mass, and the dark matter annihilation cross section at freeze-out is thus possible to be boosted above the conventional value of weak interacting massive particles. We present a comprehensive study on thermodynamic evolution of the hidden sector from the first p…
Over the past few decades, an anomalous 511 keV gamma-ray line has been observed from the centre of the Milky Way. Dark matter (DM) in the form of light weakly interacting massive particles (WIMPs) annihilating into electron-positron pairs has been one of the leading hypotheses of the observed emission. Given the small required cross section, a further coupling to lighter particles is required to produce the correct relic density. Here, we derive constraints from the Planck satellite on light WIMPs that were in equilibrium with either the neutrino or electron sector in the early universe. For …
The appearance of a natural dark matter candidate, the neutralino, is among the principal successes of minimal supergravity (mSUGRA) and its descendents. In lieu of a suitable ultraviolet completion, however, theories of gravity-mediated supersymmetry breaking such as mSUGRA suffer from arbitrary degrees of flavor violation. Though theories of gauge-mediated supersymmetry breaking are free from such prohibitive flavor violation, they typically lack natural neutralino dark matter candidates. Yet this conventional dichotomy breaks down when the hidden sector is strongly coupled; in models of gau…
A dark matter (DM) having feeble interaction with the visible sector can thermalise via substantial interaction with a Weakly Interacting Massive Particle (WIMP). Such DM candidates are categorised as pseudo-FIMP (pFIMP). pFIMP can provide both direct and indirect search prospects via WIMP loop. This work focuses into such possibilities. We provide all such one loop graphs involving scalar, fermion and vector boson particles via which pFIMP can interact with the Standard Model assuming both of them are stabilised via $\mathbb{Z}_2\otimes \mathbb{Z}_2^{\prime}$ symmetries. We elaborate upon a m…
The scotogenic scenario provides an attractive approach to both Dark Matter and neutrino mass generation, in which the same symmetry that stabilises Dark Matter also ensures the radiative seesaw origin of neutrino mass. However the simplest scenario may suffer from inconsistencies arising from the spontaneous breaking of the underlying $\mathbb{Z}_2$ symmetry. Here we show that the singlet-triplet extension of the simplest model naturally avoids this problem due to the presence of scalar triplets neutral under the $\mathbb{Z}_2$ which affect the evolution of the couplings in the scalar sector.…
If dark matter is a new species of particle produced in the early universe as a cold thermal relic (a weakly-interacting massive particle-WIMP), its present abundance, its scattering with matter in direct-detection experiments, its present-day annihilation signature in indirect-detection experiments, and its production and detection at colliders, depend crucially on the WIMP coupling to standard-model (SM) particles. It is usually assumed that the WIMP couples to the SM sector through its interactions with quarks and leptons. In this paper we explore the possibility that the WIMP coupling to t…
The class of `Asymmetric Dark Matter' scenarios relies on the existence of a primordial particle/anti-particle asymmetry in the dark sector related to the baryon asymmetry as a way to address the observed similarity between the baryonic and dark matter energy densities today. Focusing on this framework we calculate the evolution of the dark matter relic abundance in the presence of particle/anti-particle oscillations. We show how oscillations re-open the parameter space of asymmetric dark matter models, in particular in the direction of allowing large (WIMP-scale) DM masses. Finally, we constr…
We consider a degenerate or a nearly degenerate dark matter sector where a sizable magnetic moment of an almost Dirac type neutral dark matter candidate N is anticipated. Then, due to soft photon exchange, the cross-section in direct detection of N can be enhanced at low Q^2 region. We discuss the implication of this type of models in view of the recent CDMS II report.
We discuss phenomenological aspects of models whose scalar sector is extended by an isospin doublet scalar and a complex singlet scalar as an effective theory of supersymmetric models with mixed sneutrinos. In such models, the lighter of the mixed neutral scalars can become a viable dark matter candidate by imposing a U(1) symmetry. We find that the thermal WIMP scenario is consistent with the cosmological dark matter abundance when the mass of the scalar is half of that of the discovered Higgs boson or larger than around 100 GeV. We also point out that, with an additional isospin singlet Majo…
We explore the simplest viable dark matter model with a real singlet scalar, vector-like singlet and doublet fermions. The Yukawa couplings associated with the fermion sector play a crucial role in getting the current relic density through Freeze-in and Freeze-out mechanism. We discuss the constraints from the recent muon anomalous magnetic moment experimental data and relic density. We also perform the collider analysis for the FIMP dark matter in the context of 14 TeV LHC experiments with the MATHUSLA100/200 detector. Our analysis shows that one can get enough events $>3$ for heavy charged f…
We analyze the consistency of electroweak breaking, neutrino and dark matter phenomenology within the simplest scoto-seesaw model. By adding the minimal dark sector to the simplest "missing partner" type-I seesaw one has a physical picture for the neutrino oscillation lengths: the "atmospheric" mass scale arises from the tree-level seesaw, while the "solar" scale is induced radiatively, mediated by the dark sector. We identify parameter regions consistent with theoretical constraints, as well as dark matter relic abundance and direct detection searches. Using two-loop renormalization group equ…
In this work, we investigate the spectra of gravitational waves produced by chiral symmetry breaking in dark quantum chromodynamics (dQCD) sector. The dark pion ($π$) can be a dark matter candidate as weakly interacting massive particle (WIMP) or strongly interacting massive particle (SIMP). For a WIMP scenario, we introduce the dQCD sector coupled to the standard model (SM) sector with classical scale invariance and investigate the annihilation process of the dark pion via the $2π\to 2\,\text{SM}$ process. For a SIMP scenario, we investigate the $3π\to 2π$ annihilation process of the dark pio…
We explore a two component dark matter model with a fermion and a scalar. In this scenario the Standard Model (SM) is extended by a fermion, a scalar and an additional pseudo scalar. The fermionic component is assumed to have a global ${\rm U(1)}_{\rm DM}$ and interacts with the pseudo scalar via Yukawa interaction while a $\mathbb{Z}_2$ symmetry is imposed on the other component -- the scalar. These ensure the stability of both the dark matter components. Although the Lagrangian of the present model is CP conserving, however the CP symmetry breaks spontaneously when the pseudo scalar acquires…
We highlight the differences of the dark matter sector between the constrained minimal supersymmetric SM (CMSSM) and the next-to-minimal supersymmetric SM (NMSSM) including the 126 GeV Higgs boson using GUT scale parameters. In the dark matter sector the two models are quite orthogonal: in the CMSSM the WIMP is largely a bino and requires large masses from the LHC constraints. In the NMSSM the WIMP has a large singlino component and is therefore independent of the LHC SUSY mass limits. The light NMSSM neutralino mass range is of interest for the hints concerning light WIMPs in the Fermi data. …
We consider dark matter (DM) with very weak couplings to the standard model (SM), such that its self-annihilation cross section is much smaller than the canonical one, $\langleσv\rangle_{χχ} \ll 10^{-26}\mathrm{cm}^3/\mathrm{s}$. In this case DM self-annihilation is negligible for the dynamics of freeze-out and DM dilution is solely driven by efficient annihilation of heavier accompanying dark sector particles provided that DM maintains chemical equilibrium with the dark sector. This chemical equilibrium is established by conversion processes which require much smaller couplings to be efficien…
Models of secluded dark matter offer a variant on the standard WIMP picture and can modify our expectations for hidden sector phenomenology and detection. In this work we extend a minimal model of secluded dark matter, comprised of a U(1)'-charged dark matter candidate, to include a confining hidden-sector CFT. This provides a technically natural explanation for the hierarchically small mediator-scale, with hidden-sector confinement generating m_{gamma'}>0. Furthermore, the thermal history of the universe can differ markedly from the WIMP picture due to (i) new annihilation channels, (ii) a (p…
The spectrum of photons arising from WIMP annihilation carries a detailed imprint of the structure of the dark sector. In particular, loop-level annihilations into a photon and another boson can in principle lead to a series of lines (a WIMP forest) at energies up to the WIMP mass. A specific model which illustrates this feature nicely is a theory of two universal extra dimensions compactified on a chiral square. Aside from the continuum emission, which is a generic prediction of most dark matter candidates, we find a "forest" of prominent annihilation lines that, after convolution with the an…
The recent astronomical observation of GeV gamma-ray excess from the Galactic Center was suggested due to a $b \bar{b}$ mode in tens GeV WIMP (weakly interacting massive particle) pair annihilations, and this mode was also explored by the new dwarf galaxy observation. Considering the case the WIMP pair mass below top quark mass, a pseudoscalar $ϕ$ is studied in this article, which mediates the interactions between the standard model fermions and fermionic WIMPs, and neutral flavor-changing interactions in standard model fermion sectors. The $b \bar{b}$ mode is favored in WIMP pair annihilation…
We propose a "scotogenic" mechanism relating small neutrino mass and cosmological dark matter. Neutrinos are Dirac fermions with masses arising only in two--loop order through the sector responsible for dark matter. Two triality symmetries ensure both dark matter stability and strict lepton number conservation at higher orders. A global spontaneously broken U(1) symmetry leads to a physical $Diracon$ that induces invisible Higgs decays which add up to the Higgs to dark matter mode. This enhances sensitivities to spin-independent WIMP dark matter search below $m_h/2$.
I will show, via effective field theory (EFT) techniques, that obtaining an observationally consistent relic density while evading stringent direct detection limits and maintaining $h_{125}$ phenomenology in an extended Higgs sector can be easily achieved. I will then map such an EFT to the low energy limit of the NMSSM with the Higgsinos integrated out. Both the singlino and the singlet-like CP-odd and even scalars in the NMSSM may play a relevant role in such a scenario, while being difficult to probe via conventional searches. The singlet sector of the general NMSSM can be mapped on to a 2H…
We reconsider the discovery limit of multi-ton direct detection dark matter experiments in the light of recent measurements of the coherent elastic neutrino-nucleus scattering process. Assuming the cross section to be a parameter entirely determined by data, rather than using its Standard Model prediction, we use the COHERENT CsI and LAr data sets to determine WIMP discovery limits. Being based on a data-driven approach, the results are thus free from theoretical assumptions and fall within the WIMP mass regions where XENONnT and DARWIN have best expected sensitivities. We further determine th…
We point out a potential common origin of the recently observed 750 GeV diphoton resonance and a Weakly Interacting Massive Particle (WIMP) candidate. In a dark QCD sector with an unbroken dark G-parity, the diphoton resonance could be a dark G-even pion, while the WIMP could be the lightest dark G-odd pion. Both particles are Standard Model gauge singlets and have the same decay constant. For the dark pion decay constant of around 500 GeV, both the diphoton excess at the LHC and the dark matter thermal abundance can be accommodated in our model. Our model predicts additional dark G-even and d…
The Inert Doublet Model (IDM) is a two doublet extension of the Higgs-Brout-Englert sector of the Standard Model with a Z_2 symmetry in order to prevent FCNC. If the Z_2 symmetry is not spontaneously broken, the lightest neutral extra scalar is a dark matter candidate. We briefly review the phenomenology of the model, emphasizing its relevance for the issue of Electroweak Symmetry Breaking (EWSB) and the prospects for detection of dark matter.
In the post-LHC8 era, it is perceived that what is left of SUSY model parameter space is highly finetuned in the EW sector (EWFT). We discuss how conventional measures overestimate EWFT in SUSY theory. Radiatively-driven natural SUSY (RNS) models maintain the SUSY GUT paradigm with low EWFT at 10% level, but are characterized by light higgsinos ~100-300 GeV and a thermal underabundance of WIMP dark matter. Implementing the SUSY DFSZ solution to the strong CP problem explains the small μparameter but indicates dark matter should be comprised mainly of axions with a small admixture of higgsino-l…
The existence of light hidden sectors is an exciting possibility that may be tested in the near future. If DM is allowed to decay into such a hidden sector through GUT suppressed operators, it can accommodate the recent cosmic ray observations without over-producing antiprotons or interfering with the attractive features of the thermal WIMP. Models of this kind are simple to construct, generic and evade all astrophysical bounds. We provide tools for constructing such models and present several distinct examples. The light hidden spectrum and DM couplings can be probed in the near future, by me…
We consider possible mechanisms via which electroweak scale WIMPs χ^0 could provide the source of the INTEGRAL/SPI 511 keV photon flux from the galactic centre. We consider scenarios where the WIMP spectrum contains near-degeneracies, with MeV-scale splitting, and focus on three possible production mechanisms for galactic positrons: (i) collisional excitation of the WIMP to a nearby charged state, χ^0 + χ^0 -> χ^+ + χ^-, with the subsequent decay producing positrons; (ii) capture of the WIMP by nuclei in the galactic interstellar medium, χ^0 + N -> e^+ + (χ^- N); and (iii) the decay of a nearb…
By insisting on naturalness in both the electroweak and QCD sectors of the MSSM, the portrait for dark matter production is seriously modified from the usual WIMP miracle picture. In SUSY models with radiatively-driven naturalness (radiative natural SUSY or RNS) which include a DFSZ-like solution to the strong CP and SUSY mu problems, dark matter is expected to be an admixture of both axions and higgsino-like WIMPs. The WIMP/axion abundance calculation requires simultaneous solution of a set of coupled Boltzmann equations which describe quasi-stable axinos and saxions. In most of parameter spa…
Nonsupersymmetric minimal SU(5) with Higgs representations ${24}_H$ and $5_H$ and standard fermions in ${\bar 5}_F\oplus {10}_F$ is well known for its failure in unification of gauge couplings and lack of predicting neutrino masses. Like standard model, it is also affected by the instability of the Higgs scalar potential. We note that extending the Higgs sector by ${75}_H$ and ${15}_H$ not only leads to the popular type-II seesaw ansatz for neutrino masses with a lower bound on the triplet mass $M_Δ > 2\times 10^9$ GeV, but also achieves precision unification of gauge couplings without prolife…
SUSY/SUGRA models with naturalness defined via small $μ$ are constrained due to experiment on the relic density and the experimental limits on the WIMP-proton cross-section and WIMP annihilation cross-section from indirect detection experiments. Specifically models with small $μ$ where the neutralino is higgsino-like lead to dark matter relic density below the observed value. In several works this problem is overcome by assuming dark matter to be constituted of more than one component and the neutralino relic density deficit is made up from contributions from other components. In this work we …
Non-thermalized dark matter is a cosmologically valid alternative to the paradigm of weakly interacting massive particles. For dark matter belonging to a $Z_2$-odd sector that contains in addition a thermalized mediator particle, dark matter production proceeds in general via both the freeze-in and superWIMP mechanism. We highlight their interplay and emphasize the connection to long-lived particles at colliders. For the explicit example of a colored t-channel mediator model we map out the entire accessible parameter space, cornered by bounds from the LHC, big bang nucleosynthesis and Lyman-al…
We investigate the prospects for indirect detection of fermion WIMPless dark matter at the neutrino telescopes IceCube and DeepCore. The dark matter annihilating in the Sun is a hidden sector Majorana fermion that couples through Yukawa couplings to a connector particle and a visible sector particle, and it exhibits only spin-dependent scattering with nuclei via couplings to first generation quarks. We consider cases where the annihilation products are taus, staus, or sneutrinos of the three generations. To evaluate the muon fluxes incident at the detector, we propagate the neutrino spectra th…
Recently the DAMA/NaI Collaboration reported further indication of a possible modulation effect in WIMP direct detection. In this note we discuss the relevance of this result for supersymmetric theories where the neutralino is the dark matter candidate. We specifically consider the Minimal Supersymmetric extension of the Standard Model (MSSM) and Supergravity-inspired schemes, with possible deviations of the unification conditions at the GUT scale in the Higgs sector. The main results of our analysis show that the annual modulation data are widely compatible with an interpretation in terms of …
The minimal renormalizable T'xZ2 model (MRT'M) is slightly extended in its Higgs scalar sector such that the abelian part of the flavor symmetry enlarges to (Z2xZ2'). All standard model and original MRT'M states will transform trivially under Z2'. Inspired by the Valencia group's A4 model building, we propose a T' WIMP candidate as the lightest Z2' odd scalar. This extension of the prior MRT'M model maintains the successful predictions for the neutrino mixing matrix and the Cabibbo angle, and provides an attractive candidate for dark matter (Phi_WIMP) with M_Phi \simeq 780 GeV.
As no evidence for classic WIMP-based signatures of dark matter have been found at the LHC, several phenomenological studies have raised the possibility of accessing a strongly-interacting dark sector through new collider-event topologies. If dark mesons exist, their evolution and hadronization procedure are currently little constrained. They could decay promptly and result in QCD-like jet structures, even though the original decaying particles are dark sector ones; they could behave as semi-visible jets; or they could behave as completely detector-stable hadrons, in which case the final state…
