A possible indication of momentum-dependent asymmetric dark matter in the Sun

TL;DR

This paper proposes that momentum-dependent asymmetric dark matter could resolve longstanding discrepancies between helioseismological data and solar models, with models favoring a specific dark matter mass and cross-section.

Contribution

It introduces a novel momentum-squared dependent dark matter coupling in solar models, significantly improving agreement with observational data.

Findings

Models with $q^2$ dependence are preferred over standard models by over 6 sigma.

Preferred dark matter mass is around 3 GeV with a cross-section of 10^{-37} cm^2.

Results are consistent with existing direct detection and collider constraints.

Abstract

Broad disagreement persists between helioseismological observables and predictions of solar models computed with the latest surface abundances. Here we show that most of these problems can be solved by the presence of asymmetric dark matter coupling to nucleons as the square of the momentum $q$ exchanged in the collision. We compute neutrino fluxes, small frequency separations, surface helium abundances, sound speed profiles and convective zone depths for a number of models, showing more than a $6\sigma$ preference for $q^2$ models over others, and over the Standard Solar Model. The preferred mass (3\,GeV) and reference dark matter-nucleon cross-section ($10^{-37}$\,cm$^2$ at $q_0 = 40$\,MeV) are within the region of parameter space allowed by both direct detection and collider searches.