Strong electroweak phase transition in t-channel simplified dark matter models

Jul 25, 2022
54 pages
Published in:
  • JCAP 10 (2022) 044,
  • JCAP 10 (2022) 044
  • Published: Oct 13, 2022
e-Print:
Report number:
  • HIP-2022-19/TH,
  • NORDITA 2022-050

Citations per year

20212022202320242025142
Abstract: (IOP)
Beyond the Standard Model physics is required to explain both dark matter and the baryon asymmetry of the universe, the latter possibly generated during a strong first-order electroweak phase transition. While many proposed models tackle these problems independently, it is interesting to inquire whether the same model can explain both. In this context, we link state-of-the-art perturbative assessments of the phase transition thermodynamics with the extraction of the dark matter energy density. These techniques are applied to a next-to-minimal dark matter model containing an inert Majorana fermion that is coupled to Standard Model leptons via a scalar mediator, where the mediator interacts directly with the Higgs boson. For dark matter masses 180 GeV < M χ_{χ} ≲ 300 GeV, we discern regions of the model parameter space that reproduce the observed dark matter energy density and allow for a first-order phase transition, while evading the most stringent collider constraints.
Note:
  • 54 pages, 12 figures, 1 table; v2: Journal version, extended section 3.2
  • cosmological phase transitions
  • cosmology of theories beyond the SM
  • dark matter theory
  • physics of the early universe
  • baryon: asymmetry
  • effective potential
  • electroweak interaction: critical phenomena
  • thermodynamics: critical phenomena
  • dark matter: freeze-out
  • dark matter: relic density