Strong electroweak phase transition in t-channel simplified dark matter models. Issue 10 (1st October 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Biondini, Simone; Schicho, Philipp; Tenkanen, Tuomas V.I.
• Is Part Of: Journal of cosmology and astroparticle physics. Volume 2022:Issue 10(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-10-01
• Subjects: cosmological phase transitions -- cosmology of theories beyond the SM -- dark matter theory -- physics of the early universe; Cosmology -- Periodicals; Astrophysics -- Periodicals; 523.0105
• DOI: 10.1088/1475-7516/2022/10/044
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1475-7516

Abstract

Abstract: Beyond the Standard Model physics is required to explain both dark matter and the baryon asymmetry of the universe, the latter possibly generated during a strong first-order electroweak phase transition. While many proposed models tackle these problems independently, it is interesting to inquire whether the same model can explain both. In this context, we link state-of-the-art perturbative assessments of the phase transition thermodynamics with the extraction of the dark matter energy density. These techniques are applied to a next-to-minimal dark matter model containing an inert Majorana fermion that is coupled to Standard Model leptons via a scalar mediator, where the mediator interacts directly with the Higgs boson. For dark matter masses 180 GeV < M χ ≲ 300 GeV, we discern regions of the model parameter space that reproduce the observed dark matter energy density and allow for a first-order phase transition, while evading the most stringent collider constraints.