Supersymmetric $\nu$-Inflaton Dark Matter

TL;DR

This paper extends a unified inflation and dark matter model into a supersymmetric framework, analyzing inflaton decay, reheating, and dark matter production, including new FIMP-like candidate regimes.

Contribution

It introduces a supersymmetric extension of a unified inflation-dark matter model, exploring inflaton decay, reheating dynamics, and novel FIMP-like dark matter candidates.

Findings

Inflaton decay into sneutrinos drives reheating and dark matter production.

Supersymmetry protects inflaton potential from large radiative corrections.

Identifies parameter regimes for WIMP-like and FIMP-like inflaton dark matter.

Abstract

We present the supersymmetric extension of the unified model for inflation and Dark Matter studied in Ref. arXiv:1811.02302. The scenario is based on the incomplete decay of the inflaton field into right-handed (s)neutrino pairs. By imposing a discrete interchange symmetry on the inflaton and the right-handed (s)neutrinos, one can ensure the stability of the inflaton field at the global minimum today, while still allowing it to partially decay and reheat the Universe after inflation. Compatibility of inflationary predictions, BBN bounds and obtaining the right DM abundance for the inflaton Dark Matter candidate typically requires large values of its coupling to the neutrino sector, and we use supersymmetry to protect the inflaton from potentially dangerous large radiative corrections which may spoil the required flatness of its potential. In addition, the inflaton will decay now predominatly into sneutrinos during reheating, which in turn give rise both to the thermal bath made of Standard Model particles, and inflaton particles. We have performed a through analyses of the reheating process following the evolution of all the partners involved, identifying the different regimes in the parameter space for the final Dark Matter candidate. This as usual can be a WIMP-like inflaton particle or an oscillating condensate, but we find a novel regime for a FIMP-like candidate.