Shourya Mukherjee | Searcharxiv

arXiv2026

Putting the Brakes on Axion Strings: Friction and Its Impact on the QCD Axion Abundance

A compelling production mechanism for QCD axion dark matter is from the scaling dynamics of early universe axion strings. We show that in DFSZ-like models containing tree-level interactions between fermions and the axion, friction between the thermal bath and the axion string drastically changes the behavior of the axion string network for lower $f_a$ values. Friction delays the onset of scaling and increases the energy density of axions. Once the effects of friction are included, we argue that in addition to the standard value of $m_a \sim$ meV, $m_a \sim 0.1$ eV also reproduces the dark matter energy density.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2024

Electroweak Phase Transition in Two Scalar Singlet Model with pNGB Dark Matter

We investigate the dynamics of the electroweak phase transition within an extended Standard Model framework that includes one real scalar $(\Phi)$ and one complex scalar $(S)$, both of which are SM gauge singlets. The global $U(1)$ symmetry is softly broken to a $\mathcal{Z}_3$ symmetry by the $S^3$ term in the scalar potential. After this $U(1)$ symmetry breaking, the imaginary component of the complex scalar $(S)$ acts as a pseudo-Nambu-Goldstone boson (pNGB) dark matter candidate, naturally stabilized by $\mathcal{Z}_2$ symmetry of the scenario. Specially, the spontaneous breaking of the global $U(1)$ symmetry to a discrete $\mathcal{Z}_3$ subgroup can introduce effective cubic terms in the scalar potential, which facilitates a strong first-order phase transition. We analyze both single-step and multi-step first-order phase transitions, identifying the parameter space that satisfies the dark matter relic density constraints, complies with all relevant experimental constraints, and exhibits a strong first-order electroweak phase transition. The interplay of these criteria significantly restricts the model parameter space, often leading to an under-abundant relic density. Moreover, we delve into the gravitational wave signatures associated with this framework, offering valuable insights that complement traditional dark matter direct and indirect detection methods.

hep-ph↗