IS NEUTRALINO DARK MATTER POSSIBLE IN THE SUPERSTRING THEORY?

2004 ◽  
Vol 13 (05) ◽  
pp. 819-830 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. D. POLLOCK

In the heterotic superstring theory, the decay constant of the QCD axion lies within the range 3×1016≲fa GeV ≲1018, the lower limit referring to the model-independent axion, while the upper limit is due to dimension-five, non-renormalizable effects first calculated by Cvetič. Consequently, the neutralino χ0, assumed to be a nearly pure B-ino, decays into the axino ã on the time scale obtained by Covi et al., [Formula: see text], which is ≲10-3 times the age of the Universe t0≈4×1017 s , but can only be made less than the time t≈1 s of the onset of Big-Bang nucleosynthesis by revising mχ0 to an unnaturally high level, mχ0≳500 TeV . Therefore, it is necessary to set the coefficient Ca YY =0, which is possible for the Kim–Shifman–Vainshtein–Zakharov invisible-axion model if the electric charge q c of the heavy-quark colour representation C vanishes. The neutralino does not then decay and can constitute some fraction of the dark matter of the Universe, depending upon the value of mχ0 (for a gaugino-dominated state, [Formula: see text] where [Formula: see text] is the SU(2) singlet slepton). The consequences of an ultra-light axion with fa≈1018 GeV are also discussed.

2019 ◽  
Vol 28 (08) ◽  
pp. 1950065 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tahani R. Makki ◽  
Mounib F. El Eid ◽  
Grant J. Mathews

The light elements and their isotopes were produced during standard big bang nucleosynthesis (SBBN) during the first minutes after the creation of the universe. Comparing the calculated abundances of these light species with observed abundances, it appears that all species match very well except for lithium (7Li) which is overproduced by the SBBN. This discrepancy is rather challenging for several reasons to be considered on astrophysical and on nuclear physics ground, or by invoking nonstandard assumptions which are the focus of this paper. In particular, we consider a variation of the chemical potentials of the neutrinos and their temperature. In addition, we investigated the effect of dark matter on 7Li production. We argue that including nonstandard assumptions can lead to a significant reduction of the 7Li abundance compared to that of SBBN. This aspect of lithium production in the early universe may help to resolve the outstanding cosmological lithium problem.


2018 ◽  
Vol 33 (29) ◽  
pp. 1850181 ◽  
Author(s):  
Saleh Hamdan ◽  
James Unwin

We highlight the general scenario of dark matter freeze-out while the energy density of the universe is dominated by a decoupled non-relativistic species. Decoupling during matter domination changes the freeze-out dynamics, since the Hubble rate is parametrically different for matter and radiation domination. Furthermore, for successful Big Bang Nucleosynthesis the state dominating the early universe energy density must decay, this dilutes (or repopulates) the dark matter. As a result, the masses and couplings required to reproduce the observed dark matter relic density can differ significantly from radiation-dominated freeze-out.


2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Yu. Khlopov ◽  
R. M. Shibaev

The nonbaryonic dark matter of the Universe can consist of new stable charged species, bound in heavy neutral “atoms” by ordinary Coulomb interaction. StableU-(anti-U)quarks of 4th generation, bound in stable colorless(U- U- U-)clusters, are captured by the primordial helium, produced in Big Bang Nucleosynthesis, thus forming neutral “atoms” of O-helium (OHe), a specific nuclear interacting dark matter that can provide solution for the puzzles of direct dark matter searches. However, the existence of the 4th generation quarks and leptons should influence the production and decay rates of Higgs boson and is ruled out by the experimental results of the Higgs boson searches at the LHC, if the Higgs boson coupling to 4th generation fermions is not suppressed. Here, we argue that the difference between the three known quark-lepton families and the 4th family can naturally lead to suppression of this coupling, relating the accelerator test for such a composite dark matter scenario to the detailed study of the production and modes of decay of the 125.5 GeV boson, discovered at the LHC.


2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
Paolo Ciarcelluti

One of the still viable candidates for the dark matter is the so-called mirror matter. Its cosmological and astrophysical implications were widely studied, pointing out the importance to go further with research. In particular, the Big Bang nucleosynthesis provides a strong test for every dark matter candidate, since it is well studied and involves relatively few free parameters. The necessity of accurate studies of primordial nucleosynthesis with mirror matter has then emerged. I present here the results of accurate numerical simulations of the primordial production of both ordinary nuclides and nuclides made of mirror baryons, in presence of a hidden mirror sector with unbroken parity symmetry and with gravitational interactions only. These elements are the building blocks of all the structures forming in the Universe; therefore, their chemical composition is a key ingredient for astrophysics with mirror dark matter. The production of ordinary nuclides shows differences from the standard model for a ratio of the temperatures between mirror and ordinary sectorsx=T′/T≳0.3, and they present an interesting decrease of the abundance ofLi7. For the mirror nuclides, instead, one observes an enhanced production ofHe4, which becomes the dominant element forx≲0.5, and much larger abundances of heavier elements.


2021 ◽  
Vol 77 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Anslyn J. John

I review the state of knowledge of the composition of the universe for a non-specialist audience. The universe is built up of four components. These are radiation, baryonic (ordinary) matter, dark matter and dark energy. In this article, a quick outline of the theory of Big Bang nucleosynthesis is presented, and the origin of the elements is explained. Cosmology requires the presence of dark matter, which forms most of the mass of the universe, and dark energy, which drives the acceleration of the expansion. The dark sector is motivated, and possible explanations are stated.Contribution: As part of this special collection on building blocks, the building blocks of the universe are discussed and unsolved problems and proposed solutions are highlighted.


2020 ◽  
Vol 501 (1) ◽  
pp. 1188-1201
Author(s):  
James Alvey ◽  
Nashwan Sabti ◽  
Victoria Tiki ◽  
Diego Blas ◽  
Kyrylo Bondarenko ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT Dwarf spheroidal galaxies are excellent systems to probe the nature of fermionic dark matter due to their high observed dark matter phase-space density. In this work, we review, revise, and improve upon previous phase-space considerations to obtain lower bounds on the mass of fermionic dark matter particles. The refinement in the results compared to previous works is realized particularly due to a significantly improved Jeans analysis of the galaxies. We discuss two methods to obtain phase-space bounds on the dark matter mass, one model-independent bound based on Pauli’s principle, and the other derived from an application of Liouville’s theorem. As benchmark examples for the latter case, we derive constraints for thermally decoupled particles and (non-)resonantly produced sterile neutrinos. Using the Pauli principle, we report a model-independent lower bound of $m \ge 0.18\, \mathrm{keV}$ at 68 per cent CL and $m \ge 0.13\, \mathrm{keV}$ at 95 per cent CL. For relativistically decoupled thermal relics, this bound is strengthened to $m \ge 0.59\, \mathrm{keV}$ at 68 per cent CL and $m \ge 0.41\, \mathrm{keV}$ at 95 per cent CL, while for non-resonantly produced sterile neutrinos the constraint is $m \ge 2.80\, \mathrm{keV}$ at 68 per cent CL and $m \ge 1.74\, \mathrm{keV}$ at 95 per cent CL. Finally, the phase-space bounds on resonantly produced sterile neutrinos are compared with complementary limits from X-ray, Lyman α, and big bang nucleosynthesis observations.


1987 ◽  
Vol 117 ◽  
pp. 499-523
Author(s):  
Jean Audouze

Primordial nucleosynthesis which is responsible for the formation of the lightest elements (D, 3He, 4He and 7Li) provides a unique way to determine the present baryon density pB in the Universe and therefore the corresponding cosmological parameter ΩB. After a brief summary of the relevant abundance determinations and of the consequences of the Standard Big Bang nucleosynthesis, it is argued that one needs to call for specific models of chemical evolution of the Galaxy in order to reconcile the observations with the predictions of this model. In this context the predicted values for ΩB should range from 4 10−3 to 6 10−2. These values are significantly lower than those deduced from current M/L determinations.


It is shown that not only does Big Bang nucleosynthesis provide an upper limit on the baryon density of the Universe, but if one takes into account arguments concerning the production of 3 He in stars, one can show that the 3 He plus deuterium abundance can also provide a lower limit on the baryon density of the Universe. The derived constraints are that the baryon: photon ratio, y, must be between 1.5 x 10- 10 and 7 x 10 -9 with a best fit between 3 and 6 x 10 -10 . This small range for y has implications for our limits on numbers of neutrino types, for Big Bang baryosynthesis, and for arguments about the nature of the dark matter in clusters of galaxies. With reference to the dark matter, the derived baryon density for Big Bang nucleosynthesis corresponds very closely with the implied density of matter in binaries and small groups of galaxies. This implies that non-baryonic matter is not dominant by a large factor on scales as large as binaries and small groups of galaxies. It is also shown that the constraints on the lower limit on the baryon density constrain the lower limit on the primordial 4He abundance. Consistency seems to be possible only if the primordial 4 He is between 23 and 25 % by mass if there are three or four species of neutrinos.


2003 ◽  
Vol 18 (14) ◽  
pp. 947-953 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. D. POLLOCK

The cosmological axion theory leads to the prediction of axionic mini-clusters of mass M ~ 10-9M⊙, which form at the time t e of equipartition of matter and radiation. By applying the two-body relaxation formula of Spitzer and Hart, we show, for the heterotic superstring theory of Gross et al., that these mini-clusters, considered as point masses, themselves cluster into axion mini-stars of mass [Formula: see text] within the age of the Universe t0 only if they are located within a distance R ~ 0.1 pc of the Galactic Center. Here, λ ≡ fB/fA is the ratio of the second to model-independent axion decay constants, assuming the QCD decay constant to be in the range [Formula: see text], and [Formula: see text] is the strong-interaction coupling parameter. Thus, if axion mini-stars are to explain the microlensing observations by the EROS and MACHO groups towards the Galactic Bulge and the Large and Small Magellanic Clouds, then a collisionless relaxation mechanism is required, as proposed by Seidel and Suen (essentially the violent relaxation of Lynden–Bell), or the four-axion self-interaction effect considered by Tkachev.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document