Self-interacting dark matter from a non-Abelian hidden sector

Abstract

There is strong evidence in favor of the idea that dark matter is self interacting, with the cross section-tomass ratio σ=m ∼ 1 cm 2 =g ∼ 1 barn=GeV. We show that viable models of dark matter with this large cross section are straightforwardly realized with non-Abelian hidden sectors. In the simplest of such models, the hidden sector is a pure gauge theory, and the dark matter is composed of hidden glueballs with a mass around 100 MeV. Alternatively, the hidden sector may be a supersymmetric pure gauge theory with a ∼10 TeV gluino thermal relic. In this case, the dark matter is largely composed of glueballinos that strongly self interact through the exchange of light glueballs. We present a unified framework that realizes both of these possibilities in anomaly-mediated supersymmetry breaking, where, depending on a few model parameters, the dark matter may be composed of hidden glueballinos, hidden glueballs, or a mixture of the two. These models provide simple examples of multicomponent dark matter, have interesting implications for particle physics and cosmology, and include cases where a subdominant component of dark matter may be extremely strongly self interacting, with interesting astrophysical consequences.

Multicomponent Dark Matter from gauge symmetry

“…We note that multicomponent DM emerges in various particle physics models (see e.g. [22][23][24][25]). …”

A search for dark matter in the Galactic halo with HAWC

“…spectrum with a mass at the scale of confinement, which can be well above the electroweak scale [1][2][3][4][5][6][7].…”

Non-Abelian gauge fields as dark matter

“…In this work, we extend these ideas to larger SU(N) Lie groups and uncover the nature of the underlying discrete symmetries. We focus on weakly coupled theories, although confining hidden sectors represent a viable alternative [6,7]. Finally, we perform a comprehensive study of DM phenomenology in all of these cases, which includes direct and indirect DM detection as well as an analysis of the DM relic abundance.…”