Shedding light on the $b\to s$ anomalies with a dark sector

TL;DR

This paper proposes a dark sector extension of the Standard Model with a new $U(1)$ gauge symmetry, introducing a $Z'$ boson that addresses $b o s$ anomalies and lepton universality violation observed by LHCb.

Contribution

It introduces a simple dark sector model with a $Z'$ boson that explains $b o s$ anomalies and connects to dark matter, providing a novel solution to recent flavor physics discrepancies.

Findings

The model successfully accounts for the observed $b o s$ anomalies.

The $Z'$ boson mediates interactions between SM particles and dark matter.

The model offers a unified explanation for flavor anomalies and dark matter.

Abstract

The LHCb collaboration has recently reported on some anomalies in $b\to s$ transitions. In addition to discrepancies with the Standard Model (SM) predictions in some angular observables and branching ratios, an intriguing hint for lepton universality violation was found. Here we propose a simple model that extends the SM with a dark sector charged under an additional $U(1)$ gauge symmetry. The spontaneous breaking of this symmetry gives rise to a massive $Z^\prime$ boson, which communicates the SM particles with a valid dark matter candidate, while solving the $b\to s$ anomalies with contributions to the relevant observables.