Abelian dark matter models for 511 keV gamma rays and direct detection

TL;DR

This paper proposes a simple U(1) hidden sector dark matter model that explains galactic gamma-ray excesses and aligns with direct detection signals, predicting a detectable dark gauge boson.

Contribution

It introduces a metastable dark matter model with a specific gauge boson mass range that accounts for gamma-ray excesses and is testable in upcoming experiments.

Findings

Model explains 511 keV gamma-ray excess from the galactic center.

Dark matter parameters align with CoGeNT and CRESST signals.

Predicted gauge boson could be detected by heavy photon experiments.

Abstract

We construct a simple U(1) hidden sector model of metastable dark matter that could explain excess 511 keV gamma rays from the galactic center as observed by INTEGRAL, through inelastic scattering of dark matter followed by its decay. Although the model is highly constrained, it naturally accommodates dark matter with mass and cross section in the range suggested by the CoGeNT and CRESST experiments. The dark gauge boson that mediates the interactions with standard model matter has a mass of several hundred MeV, and might be discovered by heavy photon detection experiments, including APEX, MAMI and HPS.