The impact of non-perturbative effects in dark matter production and detection

Abstract: Dark matter stands out as one of the most important unsolved mysteries in particle physics and cosmology. We investigate the influence of non-perturbative effects on the production of dark matter as well as their impact on direct and indirect detection to attain insight on its fundamental nature. Specifically, we focus on Sommerfeld enhancement and the formation of dark matter bound states both of which can alter the total dark matter annihilation cross section and thus modify dark matter observables in the early and late Universe. To this end, we conducted two studies focusing on different dark matter observables, which are likely to be probed by upcoming experiments.

In the first study, we investigate the production properties of a dark matter candidate with feeble couplings to Standard Model fermions mediated by a dark scalar in the TeV mass range. The scalar possesses Standard Model quantum numbers, allowing for a sizable new physics production cross-section at the LHC. By analyzing dark matter production through freeze-in and the superWIMP mechanisms, we discover a significant suppression of the dark matter yield in the latter due to non-perturbative effects, which favors higher masses for the scalar mediator. Thus, we conclude that testing this scenario, even after the HL-LHC upgrade, poses a greater challenge than anticipated.

For our second study, we focus on indirect detection properties of a dark matter candidate in the TeV mass range. It possesses scalar- and pseudo-scalar couplings to a massive dark mediator, which connects to the Standard model. Scalar interactions induce an attractive Yukawa potential in the dark sector, which facilitates non-perturbative effects. We discuss their impact on the relic density of dark matter and their effect on indirect detection. Regarding the latter, we examine current limits on indirect detection signals by Planck and Fermi-LAT as well as prospects from CTA. We find that large portions of the model's parameter space are testable in the near future

Object Details

• Location: Deutsche Nationalbibliothek Frankfurt am Main
• Extent: Online-Ressource
• Language: Englisch
• Notes: Universität Freiburg, Dissertation, 2024

Classification and Topics

• Keyword: Dunkle Materie ; Kosmologie ; Dunkle Materie ; Kosmologie

Contributors, Places and Time

• Event: Veröffentlichung
• (where): Freiburg
• (who): Universität
• (when): 2024
• Creator: Bollig, Julian
• Contributor: Vogl, Stefan ; Vogl, Stefan ; Rzehak, Heidi ; Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg. Physikalisches Institut ; Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg. Fakultät für Mathematik und Physik

Further information

• DOI: 10.6094/UNIFR/255791
• URN: urn:nbn:de:bsz:25-freidok-2557918
• Rights: Open Access; Der Zugriff auf das Objekt ist unbeschränkt möglich.
• Last update: 25.03.2025, 1:44 PM CET