Swamplandish Unification of the Dark Sector

TL;DR

This paper explores a string theory-inspired model where a dark dimension unifies dark energy and dark matter, predicts light particles as dark matter, and addresses cosmological puzzles, differing from standard cosmology.

Contribution

It introduces a novel unification of dark energy and dark matter via a dark dimension rooted in the Swampland program, with testable predictions for particle masses and cosmological phenomena.

Findings

Predicts a tower of light particles as dark matter candidates.

Provides explanations for the 'why now' and 'cosmological coincidence' problems.

Suggests new predictions differing from $\\Lambda$CDM, consistent with current bounds.

Abstract

We provide a short overview of recent progress made in our understanding of the dark sector based on the Swampland program which in turn is rooted in lessons from string theory. We explain how the existence of one extra mesoscopic dimension (the ``dark dimension") in the micron range emerges and how this can lead to a unification of the dark energy and dark matter. In particular the smallness of the dark energy leads to the prediction of the existence of a tower of weakly interacting light particles which can naturally play the role of dark matter. Moreover this unifies dark matter with gravity as dark matter ends up being excitations of graviton in the dark dimension. We also explain how in combination with other Swampland principles one finds an explanation of the ``why now" and the ``cosmological coincidence" problems. This model is consistent with the cosmological bounds as well as the Newton's inverse square law, but makes predictions which differ from $\Lambda$CDM. It also gives rise to an appealing picture of hierarchy of scales in particle physics pegged to the dark energy, including a possible origin of the electroweak hierarchy and the prediction of masses of QCD axion and sterile neutrinos both in the 1-10 meV range. This review is intended for a broad audience of high energy theorists and cosmologists without prior knowledge of string theory and it explains the motivations and predictions of this program in a non-technical form.