The impact of non-perturbative effects in dark matter production and detection

TL;DR

This paper explores how non-perturbative effects like Sommerfeld enhancement and bound state formation influence dark matter production and detection, potentially altering observable signals in the universe.

Contribution

It provides new insights into the role of non-perturbative effects on dark matter annihilation and detection signals, relevant for upcoming experiments.

Findings

Non-perturbative effects can significantly modify dark matter annihilation cross sections.

Sommerfeld enhancement impacts both early universe and present-day dark matter signals.

Formation of dark matter bound states alters expected detection signatures.

Abstract

Dark matter stands out as one of the most important unsolved mysteries in particle physics and cosmology. We investigate the influence of non-perturbative effects on the production of dark matter as well as their impact on direct and indirect detection to attain insight on its fundamental nature. Specifically, we focus on Sommerfeld enhancement and the formation of dark matter bound states both of which can alter the total dark matter annihilation cross section and thus modify dark matter observables in the early and late Universe. To this end, we conducted two studies focusing on different dark matter observables, which are likely to be probed by upcoming experiments.