$R({K^{(*)}})$ from dark matter exchange

TL;DR

This paper investigates a model linking dark matter to lepton flavor violation observed in B meson decays, analyzing constraints and prospects for future detection across flavor physics, dark matter searches, and collider experiments.

Contribution

It proposes a simple model with dark matter and new particles explaining flavor violation, and assesses its viability against current experimental constraints.

Findings

Model is currently viable within experimental bounds.

Future experiments will test the model's predictions.

Constraints from flavor physics, dark matter detection, and LHC are compatible.

Abstract

Hints of lepton flavor violation have been observed by LHCb in the rate of the decay $B\to K\mu^+\mu^-$ relative to that of $B\to K e^+e^-$. This can be explained by new scalars and fermions which couple to standard model particles and contribute to these processes at loop level. We explore a simple model of this kind, in which one of the new fermions is a dark matter candidate, while the other is a heavy vector-like quark and the scalar is an inert Higgs doublet. We explore the constraints on this model from flavor observables, dark matter direct detection, and LHC run II searches, and find that, while currently viable, this scenario will be directly tested by future results from all three probes.