# Hidden sector explanation of $B$-decay and cosmic ray anomalies

## TL;DR

This paper proposes a hidden sector model with a $Z'$ boson that explains both $B$-decay anomalies and cosmic ray excesses, linking particle physics anomalies with dark matter observations.

## Contribution

It introduces two models with a $Z'$ boson and dark matter that simultaneously address $B$-decay anomalies and cosmic ray excesses, consistent with multiple experimental constraints.

## Key findings

- A $Z'$ boson can explain $B$-decay anomalies and dark matter signals.
- Models fit AMS-02 antiproton excess and galactic center gamma-ray excess.
- Predicted antiproton energies match observed excesses.

## Abstract

There are presently several discrepancies in $b \to s \ell^+ \ell^-$ decays of $B$ mesons suggesting new physics coupling to $b$ quarks and leptons. We show that a $Z'$, with couplings to quarks and muons that can explain the $B$-decay anomalies, can also couple to dark matter in a way that is consistent with its relic abundance, direct detection limits, and hints of indirect detection. The latter include possible excess events in antiproton spectra recently observed by the AMS-02 experiment. We present two models, having a heavy (light) $Z'$ with $m_{Z'}\sim 600\,(12)\,$GeV and fermionic dark matter with mass $m_\chi \sim 50\,(2000)\,$GeV, producing excess antiprotons with energies of $\sim 10\, (300)\,$GeV. The first model is also compatible with fits for the galactic center GeV gamma-ray excess.