Pseudomoduli Dark Matter

TL;DR

This paper explores how pseudomoduli, flat directions in supersymmetry breaking models, can serve as natural TeV-scale dark matter candidates, with analysis of models involving Higgsino-like states and hidden-sector charges.

Contribution

It introduces the concept of pseudomoduli as dark matter candidates in gauge mediation models and analyzes two example models illustrating this mechanism.

Findings

Pseudomoduli can be viable dark matter candidates at TeV scale.

Models with Higgsino-like and hidden-sector charged pseudomoduli are feasible.

The framework is adaptable to various dark matter scenarios.

Abstract

We point out that pseudomoduli -- tree-level flat directions that often accompany dynamical supersymmetry breaking -- can be natural candidates for TeV-scale dark matter in models of gauge mediation. The idea is general and can be applied to different dark matter scenarios, including (but not limited to) those of potential relevance to recent cosmic ray anomalies. We describe the requirements for a viable model of pseudomoduli dark matter, and we analyze two example models to illustrate the general mechanism -- one where the pseudomoduli carry Higgsino-like quantum numbers, and another where they are SM singlets but are charged under a hidden-sector $U(1)'$ gauge group.