Precise Prediction of the Dark Matter Relic Density within the MSSM

TL;DR

This paper improves the precision of dark matter relic density predictions within the MSSM by calculating next-to-leading order SUSY-QCD corrections, significantly impacting the favored parameter space.

Contribution

It introduces the first calculation of NLO SUSY-QCD corrections to neutralino (co)annihilation processes including Coulomb effects in the MSSM.

Findings

Corrections significantly affect the MSSM parameter space.

Enhanced accuracy reduces theoretical uncertainties.

Implications for global fits and parameter studies.

Abstract

With the latest Planck results the dark matter relic density is determined to an unprecedented precision. In order to reduce current theoretical uncertainties in the dark matter relic density prediction, we have calculated next-to-leading order SUSY-QCD corrections to neutralino (co)annihilation processes including Coulomb enhancement effects. We demonstrate that these corrections can have significant impact on the cosmologically favoured MSSM parameter space and are thus of general interest for parameter studies and global fits.