Dark Light Higgs

TL;DR

This paper explores a specific limit of the nearly-Peccei-Quinn-symmetric NMSSM, revealing a unique set of light particles with potential implications for dark matter detection and collider constraints.

Contribution

It introduces a novel parameter space in the NMSSM with light singlet-like particles that can explain dark matter relic density and direct detection signals simultaneously.

Findings

Light scalar, pseudoscalar, and singlino-like DM coexist with masses 0.1-10 GeV.

Decay of Higgs to light particles is suppressed, avoiding collider constraints.

Parameter space consistent with relic density, direct detection, and experimental bounds.

Abstract

We study a limit of the nearly-Peccei-Quinn-symmetric Next-to-Minimal Supersymmetric Standard Model possessing novel Higgs and dark matter (DM) properties. In this scenario, there naturally co-exist three light singlet-like particles: a scalar, a pseudoscalar, and a singlino-like DM candidate, all with masses of order 0.1-10 GeV. The decay of a Standard Model-like Higgs boson to pairs of the light scalars or pseudoscalars is generically suppressed, avoiding constraints from collider searches for these channels. For a certain parameter window annihilation into the light pseudoscalar and exchange of the light scalar with nucleons allow the singlino to achieve the correct relic density and a large direct detection cross section consistent with the CoGeNT and DAMA/LIBRA preferred region simultaneously. This parameter space is consistent with experimental constraints from LEP, the Tevatron, and Upsilon- and flavor physics.