Fuzzy Dark Matter Candidates from String Theory

TL;DR

This paper critically examines the viability of string theory-derived ultralight axions as fuzzy dark matter candidates, emphasizing the importance of moduli stabilization and specific axion types, and providing testable predictions.

Contribution

It offers a detailed analysis of how moduli stabilization impacts axion properties and identifies the most promising string-derived axions for fuzzy dark matter.

Findings

Obtaining the correct dark matter abundance requires mild violation of certain bounds.

C4-, C2-axions and thraxions are the best candidates for fuzzy dark matter.

Predictions are made that can be tested with current and future observations.

Abstract

String theory has been claimed to give rise to natural fuzzy dark matter candidates in the form of ultralight axions. In this paper we revisit this claim by a detailed study of how moduli stabilisation affects the masses and decay constants of different axion fields which arise in type IIB flux compactifications. We find that obtaining a considerable contribution to the observed dark matter abundance without tuning the axion initial misalignment angle is not a generic feature of 4D string models since it requires a mild violation of the $S f\lesssim M_P$ bound, where $S$ is the instanton action and $f$ the axion decay constant. Our analysis singles out $C_4$-axions, $C_2$-axions and thraxions as the best candidates to realise fuzzy dark matter in string theory. For all these ultralight axions we provide predictions which can be confronted with present and forthcoming observations.