A Running spectral index in supersymmetric dark-matter models with quasi-stable charged particles

Oct, 2004
15 pages
Published in:
  • Phys.Rev.D 71 (2005) 023518
e-Print:

Citations per year

20042009201420192022024681012
Abstract: (arXiv)
We show that charged-particles decaying in the early Universe can induce a scale-dependent or `running' spectral index in the small-scale linear and nonlinear matter power spectrum and discuss examples of this effect in minimal supersymmetric models in which the lightest neutralino is a viable cold-dark-matter candidate. We find configurations in which the neutralino relic density is set by coannihilations with a long-lived stau, and the late decay of staus partially suppresses the linear matter power spectrum. Nonlinear evolution on small scales then causes the modified linear power spectrum to evolve to a nonlinear power spectrum similar (but different in detail) to models parametrized by a constant running αs=dns/dlnk\alpha_{s}=d n_{s}/d{\rm ln} k by redshifts of 2 to 4. Thus, Lyman-α\alpha forest observations, which probe the matter power spectrum at these redshifts, might not discriminate between the two effects. However, a measurement of the angular power spectrum of primordial 21-cm radiation from redshift z30z \approx 30--200200 might distinguish between this charged-decay model and a primordial running spectral index. The direct production of a long-lived charged particle at future colliders is a dramatic prediction of this model.
  • 12.60.Jv
  • 98.80.Es
  • 98.80.Cq
  • 95.35.+d
  • dark matter
  • supersymmetry
  • charged particle: decay
  • charged particle: lifetime
  • cosmological model
  • power spectrum