Hidden Sector and Gravity

TL;DR

This paper explores how quantum gravity interactions with a hidden sector can be tested through fifth force experiments, setting lower bounds on the mass of light scalar or spin-2 fields relevant for dark matter models.

Contribution

It demonstrates that gravitationally coupled hidden sectors can be constrained by fifth force experiments, establishing mass bounds for light scalar and spin-2 particles.

Findings

Scalar or spin-2 fields must be heavier than 10^{-3} eV.

Fifth force experiments can probe quantum gravity effects.

Implications for dark matter models with light fields.

Abstract

In this paper, we consider a generic hidden sector which interacts only gravitationally with Standard Model particles. We show that quantum gravity leads to operators which can be probed with fifth force type experiments. The E\"ot-Wash torsion pendulum experiment implies that the masses of any scalar field or any massive spin-2 field that couples with the usual gravitational strength to the energy-momentum tensor of the Standard Model must be larger than $10^{-3}$eV. This has interesting consequences for models of dark matter which posit very light scalar fields. Dark matter must be heavier than $10^{-3}$eV if it is a scalar field or a massive spin-2 field.