Twin-peaked gravitational wave signal from a dark sector phase transition

TL;DR

This paper analyzes gravitational wave signals from dark sector phase transitions, highlighting a twin-peaked spectrum in first-order transitions and connecting the phenomena to dark matter production.

Contribution

It introduces a model with a scalar singlet and doublet that produces distinctive gravitational wave signatures and explains dark matter via freeze-in.

Findings

Twin-peaked gravitational wave spectrum from first-order phase transition

Dark matter relic density achieved through freeze-in from scalar doublet

Domain wall annihilation contributes to gravitational wave signals

Abstract

We compute the gravitational wave spectrum from a dark sector phase transition driven by spontaneous $\ZDW$ breaking. If the transition is second-order, the only source of gravitational waves is the annihilation of domain walls (biased by quantum gravity). However, if the transition is first-order, this yields a twin-peaked signal from both the transition itself and the biased domain wall annihilation. Both scenarios originate when a scalar singlet odd under the $\ZDW$ obtains a non-zero vacuum expectation value. An additional $\ZDM$ odd scalar doublet strengthens the transition and produces fermionic dark matter via freeze-in, matching observed dark matter relic density.