Multicomponent Dark Matter from Gauge Symmetry

TL;DR

This paper explores a multicomponent dark matter model based on an SU(3) hidden gauge symmetry, revealing diverse detection prospects and highlighting the potential for suppressed direct detection signals consistent with WIMP paradigms.

Contribution

It introduces a UV complete multicomponent dark matter model with spin-1 and spin-0 states arising from SU(3) gauge symmetry and residual symmetries, expanding beyond single-field assumptions.

Findings

Multiple DM components emerge naturally from the model.

Direct detection cross section can be significantly suppressed.

Model remains consistent with thermal WIMP paradigm.

Abstract

The composition of Dark Matter (DM) remains an important open question. The current data do not distinguish between single- and multi-component DM, while in theory constructions it is often assumed that DM is composed of a single field. In this work, we study a hidden sector which naturally entails multicomponent DM consisting of spin-1 and spin-0 states. This UV complete set-up is based on SU(3) hidden gauge symmetry with the minimal scalar field content to break it spontaneously. The presence of multiple DM components is a result of a residual Z_2 x Z'_2 symmetry which is part of an unbroken global U(1) x Z'_2 inherent in the Yang-Mills systems. We find that the model exhibits various parametric regimes with drastically different DM detection prospects. In particular, we find that the direct detection cross section is much suppressed in large regions of parameter space as long as the Standard Model Higgs mixes predominantly with a single scalar from the hidden sector. The resulting scattering rate is often beyond the level of sensitivity of XENON1T, while still being consistent with the thermal WIMP paradigm.