Dark Matter as a Solution to Muonic Puzzles

TL;DR

This paper introduces a dark matter model that mediates a new force between muons and nucleons, addressing the proton charge radius puzzle and muon magnetic moment discrepancy while aligning with observational constraints.

Contribution

It presents a simple, consistent dark matter model with MeV-scale particles that explains multiple muonic anomalies and fits experimental data.

Findings

Resolves proton charge radius puzzle

Accommodates muon magnetic moment discrepancy

Aligns with observational constraints on dark matter

Abstract

We propose a simple model in which dark matter particle exchanges mediate a new quantum force between muons and nucleons, resolving the proton charge radius puzzle. At the same time, the discrepancy between the measured anomalous magnetic moment of the muon and the Standard Model prediction can be accommodated, and thermal relic abundance of the dark matter candidate is consistent with observations. The dark matter particle mass is in the MeV range. We show that the model is consistent with a variety of experimental and observational constraints.