Dark matter candidates
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Dark Matter Candidates: An Overview
Introduction to Dark Matter Candidates
Dark matter remains one of the most enigmatic components of the universe, with various candidates proposed to explain its nature. Among the leading candidates are axions, inert Higgs doublets, sterile neutrinos, supersymmetric particles, and Kaluza-Klein particles 12. Each of these candidates offers unique properties and potential detection methods, making the search for dark matter a multifaceted challenge.
Axions and Inert Higgs Doublets
Axions
Axions are hypothetical particles proposed as a solution to the strong CP problem in quantum chromodynamics. They are considered a viable dark matter candidate due to their weak interactions with ordinary matter and their ability to form a cold dark matter component 12.
Inert Higgs Doublets
Inert Higgs doublets are extensions of the Standard Model that include additional Higgs fields. These fields do not acquire vacuum expectation values, making them "inert." They can provide a stable dark matter candidate through their interactions with the Standard Model particles 12.
Sterile Neutrinos and Supersymmetric Particles
Sterile Neutrinos
Sterile neutrinos are a type of neutrino that does not interact via the weak force, making them difficult to detect. They are considered a dark matter candidate due to their potential to explain the observed neutrino masses and their ability to form a warm dark matter component 12.
Supersymmetric Particles
Supersymmetry (SUSY) introduces a symmetry between fermions and bosons, predicting the existence of superpartners for all Standard Model particles. The lightest neutralino, a stable particle in many SUSY models, is a well-motivated dark matter candidate due to its weak interactions and potential for direct and indirect detection 34.
Kaluza-Klein Particles and Primordial Black Holes
Kaluza-Klein Particles
Kaluza-Klein particles arise from theories with extra spatial dimensions. These particles can be stable and massive, making them suitable dark matter candidates. They are particularly interesting in models of universal extra dimensions, where the lightest Kaluza-Klein particle can be stable and contribute to the dark matter density 13.
Primordial Black Holes
Primordial black holes (PBHs) are formed in the early universe from the collapse of large density perturbations. They have gained attention as a dark matter candidate following the detection of gravitational waves from black hole mergers. PBHs can account for a significant fraction of dark matter if they formed in the right mass range and abundance .
Macroscopic Dark Matter and Dark Photons
Macroscopic Dark Matter
Macroscopic dark matter candidates, or "Macros," are hypothetical objects with masses and interaction cross-sections much larger than typical particle dark matter candidates. These could be composed of Standard Model particles and have unique detection signatures due to their large size and mass .
Dark Photons
Dark photons are ultralight particles that interact weakly with ordinary matter. They can induce displacements in gravitational wave detectors like LIGO, providing a novel method for direct detection. Recent studies have used LIGO data to place constraints on dark photon properties, demonstrating the potential of gravitational wave observatories in dark matter searches .
Conclusion
The search for dark matter candidates spans a wide range of theoretical models and experimental techniques. From axions and sterile neutrinos to supersymmetric particles and primordial black holes, each candidate offers unique challenges and opportunities for detection. Continued advancements in both theoretical models and experimental methods are essential for unraveling the mystery of dark matter and understanding its role in the universe.
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