Dark Light, Dark Matter and the Misalignment Mechanism

TL;DR

This paper investigates a model where dark matter is a condensate of a very light vector boson produced during inflation, analyzing bounds and potential observational signatures of such a scenario.

Contribution

It introduces a novel dark matter model involving a light vector boson condensate formed during inflation, with derived bounds and potential detection signatures.

Findings

Bounds on kinetic mixing with photons

Potential observational signatures identified

Dark matter as a vector boson condensate during inflation

Abstract

We explore the possibility that the dark matter is a condensate of a very light vector boson. Such a condensate could be produced during inflation, provided the vector mass arises via the Steuckelberg mechanism. We derive bounds on the kinetic mixing of the dark matter boson with the photon, and point out several potential signatures of this model.