keV Sterile Neutrino Dark Matter and Neutrino Model Building

TL;DR

This paper reviews three main classes of theoretical models that can produce keV-scale sterile neutrinos as warm dark matter candidates, addressing the scarcity of models explaining this specific mass scale.

Contribution

It systematically compares split seesaw, L_e - L_ - L_ symmetry, and Froggatt-Nielsen mechanisms for keV sterile neutrino mass generation.

Findings

Identifies three main classes of models for keV sterile neutrino dark matter.

Highlights the theoretical frameworks capable of explaining the keV mass scale.

Provides insights into model-building challenges for sterile neutrino dark matter.

Abstract

A sterile neutrino with a mass around the keV scale could be an interesting candidate for warm dark matter. Although there are several scenarios and production mechanisms known in which such a particle could yield the correct abundance, there are astonishingly few models around that can actually yield an explanation for the appearance of a keV-like scale. We here review three main classes of such mass models for keV sterile neutrino dark matter, based on split seesaw, on L_e - L_\mu - L_\tau\ symmetry, and on the Froggatt-Nielsen mechanism, respectively.