The WIMPless Miracle: Dark Matter Particles without Weak-scale Masses or Weak Interactions

TL;DR

This paper introduces WIMPless dark matter models that naturally achieve the correct relic density without requiring weak-scale masses or interactions, expanding the scope of dark matter candidates and detection prospects.

Contribution

It presents a novel class of dark matter models derived from gauge-mediated supersymmetry breaking, allowing for diverse masses and interaction strengths beyond traditional WIMPs.

Findings

WIMPless models can have masses from 10 MeV to 10 TeV.

These candidates can produce enhanced signals in detection experiments.

The models have unique implications for collider searches and cosmology.

Abstract

We propose that dark matter is composed of particles that naturally have the correct thermal relic density, but have neither weak-scale masses nor weak interactions. These WIMPless models emerge naturally from gauge-mediated supersymmetry breaking, where they elegantly solve the dark matter problem. The framework accommodates single or multiple component dark matter, dark matter masses from 10 MeV to 10 TeV, and interaction strengths from gravitational to strong. These candidates enhance many direct and indirect signals relative to WIMPs and have qualitatively new implications for dark matter searches and cosmological implications for colliders.