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Debasish Borah

Publications and source records attributed to Debasish Borah.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Can Dirac neutrinos destabilize $\mathcal{Z}_2$ domain wall network?

In particle physics model building, a discrete $\mathcal{Z}_2$ symmetry is often spontaneously broken for phenomenological reasons. When this breaking occurs dynamically in the early Universe, stable domain wall networks are formed, which can eventually dominate the cosmic energy density. To avoid this problem, explicit $\mathcal{Z}_2$-breaking terms in the scalar potential are usually introduced in an ad hoc manner. In this Letter, we show that if the same $\mathcal{Z}_2$ symmetry is also responsible for generating light Dirac neutrino masses, such explicit breaking terms can instead arise radiatively from the particles involved in the Dirac mass generation. We find that the resulting bias term scales inversely with the cube of the Dirac neutrino mass, leading to a gravitational wave spectrum proportional to the sixth power of the Dirac neutrino mass. This establishes a nontrivial connection between the Dirac seesaw scale, the domain wall annihilation epoch, and the resulting stochastic gravitational wave signal. We further demonstrate that a wide range of Dirac seesaw scales can be probed by upcoming gravitational wave and cosmic microwave background experiments, while part of the parameter space simultaneously explains the observed baryon asymmetry via Dirac leptogenesis.

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Leptogenesis from Dark Matter Coannihilation

We propose a minimal extension of the type-I seesaw model to realise leptogenesis from the co-annihilation of dark sector particles. The type-I seesaw model is extended with a singlet fermion and two singlet scalars charged under a $Z_{2}$ symmetry. The $Z_{2}$-odd singlet scalar is the dark matter candidate. Here the usual type-I seesaw mechanism generates neutrino mass, and a net lepton asymmetry is generated from the co-annihilation of the dark matter and the $Z_2$-odd singlet fermion. The $Z_{2}$-even singlet scalar is important in dark matter phenomenology. Successful leptogenesis is possible at TeV-scale, unlike the vanilla case. This minimal extension provides an elegant explanation of successful leptogenesis with direct connection to the dark matter abundance in the Universe.

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Light thermal dark matter models in the light of DAMIC-M 2025 constraints

We study the viability of light thermal dark matter (DM) in sub-GeV mass range in view of the stringent new DAMIC-M limits on DM-electron scattering. Considering a Dirac fermion singlet DM charged under a new Abelian gauge symmetry $U(1)$, we outline two possibilities: (i) family non-universal $U(1)$ gauge coupling with resonantly enhanced DM annihilation into standard model (SM) fermions and (ii) family universal dark $U(1)$ gauge symmetry where relic is set by DM annihilation into light gauge bosons. As an illustrative example of the first class of models, we consider a gauged $L_μ-L_τ$ extension of the SM having interesting detection prospects at several experiments. While both of these class of models lead to observed DM relic and consistency with DAMIC-M together with other experimental limits, the second class of models also lead to strong DM self-interactions, potentially solving the small-scale structure issues of cold dark matter. While a vast part of the parameter space in both the models is already ruled out, the current allowed region of parameter space can be further probed at ongoing or future experiments keeping the models testable.

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Large neutrino asymmetry from forbidden decay of dark matter

Dark matter (DM), in spite of being stable or long-lived on cosmological scales, can decay in the early Universe due to finite-temperature effects. In particular, a first order phase transition (FOPT) in the early Universe can provide a finite window for such decay, guaranteeing DM stability at lower temperatures, consistent with observations. The FOPT can lead to the generation of stochastic gravitational waves (GW) with peak frequencies correlated with DM mass. On the other hand, early DM decay into neutrinos can create a large neutrino asymmetry which can have interesting cosmological consequences in terms of enhanced effective relativistic degrees of freedom $N_{\rm eff}$, providing a solution to the recently observed Helium anomaly among others. Allowing DM decay to occur below sphaleron decoupling temperature, thereby avoiding overproduction of baryon asymmetry, forces the FOPT to occur at sub-electroweak scale. This leaves the stochastic GW within range of experiments like LISA, $μ$ARES, NANOGrav etc.

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ALPy Cogenesis

We propose a novel cogenesis scenario by utilising the two-body decay of heavy right-handed neutrino (RHN) via an effective operator involving an axion-like particle (ALP) dark matter (DM) and a light chiral fermion $ν_R$. This allows the two-body decay of heavy RHN into $ν_R$ and ALP thereby generating a lepton asymmetry in $ν_R$ which later gets transferred to left-handed leptons via sizeable Yukawa coupling with a neutrinophilic Higgs doublet. The asymmetry in left-handed leptons is then converted into baryon asymmetry via electroweak sphalerons. The lepton number violation by heavy RHN also induces a one-loop Majorana mass of $ν_R$ rendering the light neutrinos to be Majorana fermions. Successful leptogenesis constrain the parameter space in terms of RHN mass and axion decay constant. This has interesting consequences for both ALP and QCD axion DM parameter space within reach of several ongoing and near future experiments. We also propose a Dirac version of this scenario without any total lepton number violation. This leads to a long-lived asymmetric Dirac fermion contributing partially to DM thereby opening up more parameter space for ALP. In addition to axion search experiments, the proposed scenarios can have observable signatures at cosmic microwave background (CMB), DM search as well as terrestrial particle physics experiments.

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Multi-messenger FIMP

We propose a multi-messenger frontier probe of non-thermal or freeze-in massive particle (FIMP) dark matter (DM) by considering an effective field theory (EFT) setup. Assuming leptophilic operators connecting DM with the standard model (SM) bath, we consider DM mass ($m_{\rm DM}$) and the reheat temperature of the Universe ($T_{\rm rh}$) in a regime which prevents DM-SM thermalisation. Low $T_{\rm rh}$ allows sizeable DM-SM interactions even for non-thermal DM allowing the latter to be probed at direct, indirect detection frontiers as well as future electron-positron and muon colliders. An extended reheating period governed by monomial inflaton potential after its slow-roll phase not only generates the required abundance of non-thermal DM via ultraviolet (UV) freeze-in but also brings the scale-invariant primordial gravitational waves (GW) within reach of near future experiments across a wide range of frequencies. While particle physics experiments can probe $T_{\rm rh} \sim O(10)$ GeV and FIMP DM with mass $m_{\rm DM} \sim O(1)$ TeV, future GW detectors are sensitive to a much wider parameter space.

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Constraining Effective Field Theories for dark matter candidates annihilating into gamma-ray lines with CTAO

Gamma-ray lines constitute a smoking gun signature for annihilating dark matter particles. Imaging Atmospheric Cherenkov Telescopes and satellites have searched for such signals but null results have been reported thus far. We take advantage of the expected gamma-ray flux sensitivity of the Cherenkov Telescope Array Observatory (CTAO) toward the direction of the Galactic Centre and Dwarf Galaxies and its exquisite energy resolution to derive upper limits on fermionic and scalar dark matter annihilations into gamma-ray lines. We consider the lowest-order effective operators for scalar and fermion dark matter, and derive limits on the energy scale using the recent CTAO projected sensitivity. Putting our findings into perspective with existing limits from direct and indirect detection experiments, we conclude that CTAO will either play a complementary role or be a discovery channel for dark matter signals.

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Effective theory of light Dirac neutrino portal dark matter with observable ${ΔN_{\rm eff}}$

We study the possibility of light Dirac neutrino portal dark matter (DM) in an effective field theory setup. Dirac nature of light neutrino automatically includes its right chiral part $ν_R$ which, in our setup, also acts like a portal between DM and the standard model (SM) particles. Considering a Dirac fermion singlet DM stabilized by an unbroken $Z_2$ symmetry, we write down all possible dimension-6 effective operators involving DM-$ν_R$ as well as $ν_R$-SM which conserve $Z_2$, global lepton number and SM gauge symmetries. DM thermalization also ensures the thermalization of $ν_R$, leading to enhanced effective relativistic degrees of freedom $N_{\rm eff}$, within reach of future cosmic microwave background (CMB) experiments. We study the complementarity among DM and CMB related observations for different Lorentz structures of effective operators. We also propose a UV complete gauged $\rm B-L$ symmetric model with Dirac neutrino portal dark matter.

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Light thermal dark matter via type-I seesaw portal

We propose a minimal scenario for light thermal dark matter (DM) in sub-GeV to GeV range by incorporating a scalar singlet DM in a type-I seesaw scenario extended by an additional Higgs doublet $ϕ_2$. The latter permits efficient annihilation of light scalar DM into leptonic final states including right-handed neutrinos (RHN). We keep the charged fermion as well as neutral fermion final states in forbidden regime to avoid bounds from indirect search as well as cosmic microwave background (CMB) data. After studying the purely forbidden DM scenario with neutral and charged fermion final states separately, we discuss the interplay of forbidden and non-forbidden channels in generating light thermal DM relic by considering neutral fermions in non-forbidden mode due to relatively weaker constraints. The model can also explain the anomalous magnetic moment of muon, W-mass anomaly and saturate experimental bounds on charged lepton flavour violation and DM direct detection while offering tantalising detection prospects of RHN, the mass of which is kept approximately in the same range as DM.

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Electromagnetic Dirac Cogenesis

We propose a novel cogenesis mechanism by utilising the two-body decay of heavy vector-like fermions to dark matter (DM) $χ$ and right chiral part of light Dirac neutrino $ν_R$ via the electromagnetic dipole operator. This leads to generation of asymmetry in dark fermion $χ$ as well as $ν_R$ with the latter getting transferred to left-handed lepton doublets via Yukawa interactions with a neutrinophilic Higgs doublet. While lepton asymmetry is converted into baryon asymmetry of the Universe via electroweak sphalerons, the dark fermion asymmetry results in asymmetric dark matter. Since CP asymmetries in lepton and dark sector are equal and opposite due to net lepton number conservation, DM mass is restricted to a fixed value $\sim \mathcal{O}(1)$ GeV. Long-lived nature of DM keeps indirect detection prospects at gamma-ray telescopes alive while thermalised light Dirac neutrinos lead to observable dark radiation at cosmic microwave background (CMB) experiments. Heavy vector-like fermions can be probed at terrestrial experiments via their electromagnetic dipole interactions.

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Minimal Dirac seesaw dark matter

We propose a minimal Type-I Dirac seesaw which accommodates a thermal scalar dark matter (DM) candidate protected by a charge conjugation symmetry in dark sector $C_{\rm dark}$, without introducing any additional field beyond the ones taking part in the seesaw. A $Z_4$ symmetry is introduced to realise the tree level Dirac seesaw while the Majorana mass terms are prevented by an unbroken global lepton number symmetry. While the spontaneous $Z_4$ breaking together with electroweak symmetry breaking lead to the generation of light Dirac neutrino mass, it also results in the formation of domain walls. These cosmologically catastrophic walls can be made to annihilate away by introducing bias terms while also generating stochastic gravitational waves (GW) within reach of near future experiments like \texttt{LISA}, \texttt{BBO}, $μ$-\texttt{ARES} etc. The scalar DM parameter space can be probed at direct and indirect search experiments. Light Dirac neutrinos also enhance the relativistic degrees of freedom $N_{\rm eff}$ within reach of future cosmic microwave background (CMB) experiments. The model can also explain the observed baryon asymmetry via Dirac leptogenesis.

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Filtered cogenesis of PBH dark matter and baryons

We propose a novel cogenesis of baryon and dark matter (DM) in the Universe by utilising a first-order phase transition (FOPT) in the dark sector containing an asymmetric Dirac fermion $χ$. Due to the mass difference of $χ$ across the bubble walls, it is energetically favourable for $χ$ to get trapped in the false vacuum leading to the formation of Fermi-ball, which can self-collapse to form primordial black hole (PBH) if $χ$ has a sufficiently large Yukawa interaction. While such PBH formed out of false vacuum collapse can give rise to the DM in the Universe, a tiny amount of asymmetric $χ$ leaking into the true vacuum through the bubble walls can transfer the dark asymmetry into the visible sector via decay. The same mass difference of $χ$ across the two minima which decides the amount of trapping or filtering of $χ$, also allows $χ$ decay into visible sector in the true minima while keeping it stable in the false vacuum. Our filtered cogenesis scenario can be probed via FOPT generated stochastic gravitational waves (GW) at near future detectors in addition to the well-known detection aspects of asteroid mass PBH constituting DM in the Universe.

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Possible origin of the KM3-230213A neutrino event from dark matter decay

We study the possibility of the highest energy neutrino event with 220 PeV energy, detected recently by the KM3NeT experiment to be originating from heavy dark matter (DM) decay. Considering a heavy right handed neutrino (RHN) DM for illustrative purpose, we show that DM mass of 440 PeV, can explain the observed flux. The required DM lifetime to produce the best-fit value of the neutrino flux saturates the existing gamma-ray bounds. Due to the large uncertainty in the flux, it is possible to explain the KM3NeT event from RHN DM decay at $3σ$ confidence level (CL) while being in agreement with gamma-ray bounds and non-observation of similar events at IceCube. While we consider a gauged $B-L$ scenario where DM relic can be generated due to other interactions, we also briefly discuss some alternate DM possibilities where the gamma-ray bounds can be alleviated compared to the minimal RHN DM discussed here.

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Electromagnetic leptogenesis with light-heavy sterile neutrinos

We propose a novel leptogenesis scenario utilising the two-body decay of heavy right handed neutrino (RHN) via the electromagnetic dipole operator. While the requirement of the standard model (SM) gauge invariance requires such dipole operator only at dimension-6 forcing the generation of non-zero CP asymmetry from three-body decay with two-loop corrections, we write down dimension-5 dipole operators involving heavy RHN $N_R$ and its lighter counterpart $ν_R$. This allows the generation of lepton asymmetry in $ν_R$ from two-body decay of heavy RHN which later gets transferred to left handed leptons via sizeable Yukawa coupling with a neutrinophilic Higgs doublet. The asymmetry in left handed leptons is then converted to baryon asymmetry via electroweak sphalerons. The lepton number violation by heavy RHN also induces a one-loop Majorana mass of $ν_R$ rendering the light neutrinos to be Majorana fermions. While smallness of the Majorana mass of $ν_R$ prevents additional sources or washout of lepton asymmetry, it also constrains the scale of leptogenesis. For $\mathcal{O}(10)$ TeV scale leptogenesis, this leads to additional sterile neutrinos lighter than a few keV with interesting implications for a variety of observables including neutrino oscillation, warm dark matter as well as effective degrees of freedom within reach of future cosmic microwave background experiments. Additionally, heavy RHN can lead to observable monochromatic photon signatures at terrestrial experiments.

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Self-interacting dark matter with observable $ΔN_{\rm eff}$

We propose a GeV-scale self-interacting dark matter (SIDM) candidate within a dark $U(1)_D$ gauged extension of the Standard Model (SM), addressing small-scale structure issues in $Λ$CDM while predicting an observable contribution to $ΔN_{\rm eff}$ in the form of dark radiation. The model introduces a fermionic DM candidate $χ$ and a scalar $ϕ$, both charged under an unbroken $U(1)_D$ gauge symmetry. The self-interactions of $χ$ are mediated by a light vector boson $X^μ$, whose mass is generated via the Stueckelberg mechanism. The relic abundance of $χ$ is determined by thermal freeze-out through annihilations into $X^μ$, supplemented by a non-thermal component from the late decay of $ϕ$. Crucially, $ϕ$ decays after the Big Bang Nucleosynthesis (BBN) but before the Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB) epoch, producing additional $χ$ and a dark radiation species ($ν_S$). This late-time production compensates for thermal underabundance due to efficient annihilation into light mediators, while remaining consistent with structure formation constraints. The accompanying dark radiation yields a detectable $ΔN_{\rm eff}$, compatible with Planck 2018 bounds and within reach of next-generation experiments such as SPT-3G, CMB-S4, and CMB-HD.

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Gravitational wave signatures of dark sector portal leptogenesis

We study the possibility of probing leptogenesis via stochastic gravitational waves (GW) arising from a dark sector assisted first-order electroweak phase transition. The same dark sector, with non-trivial transformation under an unbroken $Z_2$ symmetry is also responsible for providing the only source of CP asymmetry via one-loop interference with the tree level decay of a heavy right-handed neutrino into lepton and Higgs doublets. The new Yukawa and scalar portal couplings enhance the CP asymmetry allowing TeV scale leptogenesis without any resonant enhancement. Light neutrino masses arise from a combination of type-I and one-loop contributions with vanishing lightest neutrino mass. While the new degrees of freedom in sub-TeV range keep the detection prospects at terrestrial experiments promising, the new scalars enhance the strength of the electroweak phase transition keeping the GW signals within reach of near future experiments like LISA.

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The Amaterasu particle: constraining the superheavy dark matter origin of UHECRs

Amaterasu, the second most energetic ($244$ EeV) cosmic ray particle has been recently detected by the Telescope Array (TA) surface detector. The origin of the TA Amaterasu event is puzzling, as its arrival direction points back to a void in the local Universe, lacking conventional astrophysical ultra-high-energy (UHE) cosmic ray sources. Hence, we explore the possibility if this TA Amaterasu event could have originated from the decay of superheavy dark matter (SHDM) in the Milky Way. Such an origin also opens up multi-messenger detection channels in both UHE gamma-rays and UHE neutrinos. In this present work, using the TA Amaterasu event and the multi-messenger limits/sensitivities from various UHE telescopes, we place stringent constraints on the lifetime and mass of the SHDM. We find that the non-detection of the corresponding gamma-rays at the Pierre Auger Observatory (PAO) and the TA is in severe tension with the SHDM parameter space required to explain the TA Amaterasu event. Additionally, we extend the multi-messenger analysis to the future UHE gamma-ray and UHE neutrino telescopes such as PAO upgrade, GRAND 200k and IceCube-Gen2. We find that the bounds from the future neutrino telescopes will be able to compete with the present UHECR bounds. However, compared to the existing UHE gamma-ray bounds, the future PAO upgrade and the GRAND 200k gamma-ray detectors will improve the bounds on SHDM lifetime by at least one order of magnitude.

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Axion misalignment with memory-burdened PBH

We study the possibility of producing axion dark matter (DM) via misalignment mechanisms in a non-standard cosmological era dominated by ultra-light primordial black holes (PBH). While the effect of PBH domination on the production of axion via vacuum misalignment is known assuming the PBH evaporation to proceed according to Hawking's semi-classical (SC) approximation, we go beyond these simplest possibilities to include kinetic misalignment of axion and backreaction effect of emitted particles on the PBH themselves, referred to as the memory-burden (MB) effect. We show that, depending upon the type of misalignment mechanism and PBH evaporation regime, the axion as well as PBH parameter space consistent with the observed DM relic changes significantly having interesting implications for axion detection experiments. PBH also offer complementary detection prospects via gravitational wave due to PBH density fluctuations and excess radiation due to emission of hot axions within reach of future cosmic microwave background experiments.

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