Multicomponent scalar dark matter at high-intensity proton beam experiments

TL;DR

This paper investigates a two-component scalar dark matter model interacting via a dark photon, analyzing its relic abundance and potential detection prospects at high-intensity proton beam experiments like DUNE and SHiP.

Contribution

It introduces a novel two-component scalar dark matter model with dark photon interactions and assesses its detectability at upcoming fixed-target experiments.

Findings

Dark photon mediates DM conversion affecting relic abundance

Certain parameter space regions are accessible to DUNE and SHiP

Monte Carlo simulations predict experimental signals and backgrounds

Abstract

We study a scalar dark matter (DM) model with two DM species coupled to the Standard Model (SM) particles via a sub-GeV dark photon. In this model, we find that DM conversion occurs through the dark photon and it plays a fundamental role in setting the observed relic abundance. Furthermore, the two DM candidates can be produced at fixed-target experiments a la Beam- Dump. Detailed predictions for signal and backgrounds are obtained with the help of MadDump and NuWro Montecarlo generators. We explore the potential reach on the sensitivity of DUNE near detector and SHiP experiment, and we find that portions of the parameter space will be within reach of the two experiments