arXiv subjects

Lucia Angel

Publications and source records attributed to Lucia Angel.

4 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2025

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.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2025

Type-II Seesaw Mechanism for Dirac Neutrinos and its Implications on $N_{\text{eff}}$ and Lepton Flavor Violation in a 3-3-1 model

In this study, we implement the type-II seesaw mechanism for Dirac neutrino masses within the framework of a 3-3-1 model. To this end, we introduce a scalar sextet and impose both lepton number conservation and invariance under a discrete $Z_2$ symmetry in the Lagrangian. This mechanism naturally generates small Dirac neutrino masses by allowing the soft breaking of the $Z_2$ symmetry through a unique term in the scalar potential, while preserving lepton number. Specifically, we explore the realization of this model at low-energy scales. Regarding flavor implications, we analyze its contributions to the rare decay processes $\mu \to e \gamma$ and $\mu \to \bar e ee$. In the cosmological context, we analyze the influence of right-handed neutrinos on the effective number of neutrino species, $N_\text{eff}$, through interactions mediated by the $Z^{\prime}$ boson. Our findings establish a lower bound of $m_{Z^{\prime}} > 4.4$ TeV, which slightly exceeds the current lower limit set by the Large Hadron Collider (LHC).

hep-ph↗

arXiv2025

Updated BBN Bounds on Hadronic Injection in the Early Universe: The Gravitino Problem

Late-decaying particles naturally arise in many extensions of the Standard Model, directly impacting key cosmological processes in the early universe, such as Big Bang Nucleosynthesis (BBN). BBN studies often consider electromagnetic energy injection episodes only, but in practice long-lived particles are also amenable to hadronic decays. The latter can greatly alter the predicted abundances of light elements such as $\mathrm{D}/\mathrm{H}$, $Y_p$, ${}^3\mathrm{He}/\mathrm{D}$, and ${}^7\mathrm{Li}/\mathrm{H}$. Incorporating up-to-date measurements, we place constraints on the primordial abundance of long-lived particles as a function of their lifetime. Lastly, we apply our results to the gravitino problem and set bounds on the reheating temperature, which controls the gravitino primordial abundance.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2023

Constraining Gamma-ray Lines from Dark Matter Annihilation using Fermi-LAT and H.E.S.S. data

Using 14 years of Fermi-LAT data and 10 years of H.E.S.S. observations in the direction of the galactic center, we derive limits on gamma-ray lines originated from dark matter annihilations for fermionic and scalar fields. We describe the dark matter annihilation into $\gamma \gamma$ or $\gamma Z$ final states in terms of effective operators and place limits on the energy scale as a function of the dark matter mass taking into account the energy resolution of the instruments. For the Fermi-LAT data, we considered an NFW and a contracted NFW dark matter density profile, the latter being preferred by the Fermi GeV excess. For the H.E.S.S. observation, we used an NFW and Einasto profile. Fermi-LAT yields the most stringent constraints for dark matter masses below 300 GeV, whereas H.E.S.S. has the strongest ones for dark matter masses above 1 TeV. The telescopes share similar sensitivities for dark matter masses between 300 GeV and 1 TeV. We conclude that Fermi-LAT (H.E.S.S.) can probe energy scales up to $10(20)$~TeV for scalar and fermionic dark matter particles.

hep-ph↗