Strongly self-interacting vector dark matter via freeze-in

TL;DR

This paper explores a vector dark matter model produced via freeze-in, highlighting the impact of the electroweak phase transition, and identifies a parameter space with light dark Higgs bosons that satisfies relic density, self-interaction, and detection constraints.

Contribution

It introduces a freeze-in vector dark matter model with a light dark Higgs that induces strong self-interactions and analyzes its viability under various experimental constraints.

Findings

Electroweak phase transition significantly affects relic density predictions.

A parameter region with keV-scale dark Higgs mass satisfies all constraints.

Model naturally evades direct detection bounds due to tiny Higgs portal coupling.

Abstract

We study a vector dark matter (VDM) model in which the dark sector couples to the Standard Model sector via a Higgs portal. If the portal coupling is small enough the VDM can be produced via the freeze-in mechanism. It turns out that the electroweak phase transition have a substantial impact on the prediction of the VDM relic density. We further assume that the dark Higgs boson which gives the VDM mass is so light that it can induce strong VDM self-interactions and solve the small-scale structure problems of the Universe. As illustrated by the latest LUX data, the extreme smallness of the Higgs portal coupling required by the freeze-in mechanism implies that the dark matter direct detection bounds are easily satisfied. However, the model is well constrained by the indirect detections of VDM from BBN, CMB, AMS-02, and diffuse $\gamma$/X-rays. Consequently, only when the dark Higgs boson mass is at most of ${\cal O}({\rm keV})$ does there exist a parameter region which leads to a right amount of VDM relic abundance and an appropriate VDM self-scattering while satisfying all other constraints simultaneously.