Braneworld Model of Dark Matter: Structure Formation

TL;DR

This paper explores a braneworld model where a scalar field in a hidden brane can mimic dark matter behavior in the visible universe, offering an alternative explanation for dark matter through extra-dimensional physics.

Contribution

It derives the equation of state for a scalar field in a two-brane setup and analyzes its perturbations, proposing a novel braneworld dark matter model.

Findings

Scalar field perturbations can mimic dark matter dynamics

Kinetic energy dominance leads to dark matter-like behavior

Supports scalar field as an alternative dark matter candidate

Abstract

Following a previous work [Gen. Relativ. Gravit. 43 (2011)], we further study the behavior of a real scalar field in a hidden brane in a configuration of two branes embedded in a five dimensional bulk. We find an expression for the equation of state for this scalar field in the visible brane in terms of the fields of the hidden one. Additionally, we investigated the perturbations produced by this scalar field in the visible brane with the aim to study their dynamical properties. Our results show that if the kinetic energy of the scalar field dominates during the early universe the perturbed scalar field could mimic the observed dynamics for the dark matter in the standard paradigm. Thus, the scalar field dark matter hypothesis in the context of braneworld theory could be an interesting alternative to the nature of dark matter in the Universe.