Monopoles, strings and dark matter

TL;DR

This paper proposes a model where monopoles in a hidden sector produce a decaying dark matter candidate, explaining cosmic ray excesses through long-lived monopole-string systems that decay into hidden photons.

Contribution

It introduces a novel scenario linking hidden sector monopoles, strings, and dark matter decay, with specific mass scales and interactions relevant for cosmic ray observations.

Findings

Monopoles and strings are connected by light, thin strings due to strong hidden sector coupling.

Decaying monopoles produce hidden photons that escape galactic cores, potentially explaining cosmic ray excesses.

The model predicts specific mass scales: monopoles (~3 TeV), hidden photons (~500 MeV), and a near-Planck scale mixing parameter.

Abstract

We develop a scenario whereby monopoles in a hidden sector yield a decaying dark matter candidate of interest for the PAMELA and FERMI $e^\pm$ excesses. The monopoles are not completely hidden due to a very small kinetic mixing and a hidden photon mass. The latter also causes the monopoles and anti-monopoles to be connected by strings. The resulting long-lived objects eventually decay to hidden photons which tend to escape galactic cores before decaying. The mass scales are those of the hidden photon ($\approx 500$ MeV), the monopole ($\approx 3$ TeV) and the mixing scale (close to the Planck scale). A gauge coupling in the hidden sector is the only other parameter. This coupling must be strong and this results in light point-like monopoles and light thin strings.