arXiv subjects

Shu-Yu Ho

Publications and source records attributed to Shu-Yu Ho.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

A Unified Dark Matter Explanation for $\boldsymbol{B^+ \!\to K^+\nu\bar{\nu}}$ and the Super-Kamiokande Antineutrino Excess

Recent results from Super-Kamiokande and Belle II have revealed intriguing excesses over Standard Model expectations. Super-Kamiokande observes a mild excess of $\bar{\nu}_e^{}$-like events near $20\,\,\mathrm{MeV}$, while Belle II reports a branching fraction for $B^+ \!\to K^+\nu\bar{\nu}$ that exceeds the Standard Model prediction by approximately $2.7\sigma$. In this work, we study the simplest UV-complete complex scalar dark matter model with a gauged $\text{U}(1)_{\textsf{L}_\mu - \textsf{L}_\tau}^{}$ symmetry. We demonstrate that a light dark sector can simultaneously reproduce the observed dark matter relic density and accommodate both excesses within a unified framework.

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arXiv2026

TeV-scale unification of light dark matter and neutrino mass

We demonstrate that TeV-scale heavy neutral leptons (HNLs) responsible for inverse-seesaw neutrino mass generation can simultaneously fix the cosmological abundance and decay properties of dark matter (DM). The spontaneous breaking of lepton number gives rise to a pseudo-Nambu-Goldstone boson that serves as a light DM candidate, whose mass originates from a small explicit symmetry-breaking term. The same HNLs that generate neutrino masses produce the DM via freeze-in and mediate its decay into neutrinos, leading to a tight correlation among neutrino masses, DM relic abundance, and DM lifetime. For collider-accessible TeV-scale HNLs, the observed relic density and lifetime constraints point to sub-GeV DM, yielding observable neutrino signals at JUNO and next-generation detectors such as Hyper-Kamiokande and DUNE. This framework establishes a predictive and experimentally testable link between neutrino mass generation and DM.

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arXiv2024

Recent $B^+ \!\to K^+\nu\bar{\nu}$ excess and muon $g-2$ illuminating light dark sector with Higgs portal

The Belle II collaboration recently announced that they observed the $B^+ \!\to K^+\nu\bar{\nu}$ decay process for the first time. This dineutrino mode of $B^+ \!\to K^+\nu\bar{\nu}$ has been theoretically identified as a very clean channel. However, their result encounters a $2.7{}^{}\sigma$ deviation from the Standard Model (SM) calculation. On the other hand, last year, Fermilab released new data on muon $g-2$ away from the SM expectation with $5{}^{}\sigma$. In this letter, we study the simplest UV-complete $\text{U}(1)_{\textsf{L}_\mu - \textsf{L}_\tau}^{}$-charged complex scalar Dark Matter (DM) model. Thanks to the existence of light dark Higgs boson and light dark photon, we can explain the observed relic density of DM and resolve the results reported by both Belle II and Fermilab experiments simultaneously. As a byproduct, the Hubble tension is alleviated by taking $\Delta N_\textsf{eff}^{} \simeq 0.3$ induced by the light dark photon.

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arXiv2023

Light Thermal Self-Interacting Dark Matter in the Shadow of Non-Standard Cosmology

In this paper, we construct a viable model for a GeV scale self-interacting dark matter (DM), where the DM was thermally produced in the early universe. Here, a new vector-like fermion with a dark charge under the $U(1)_{D}$ gauge symmetry serves as a secluded WIMP DM and it can dominantly annihilate into the light dark gauge boson and singlet scalar through the dark gauge interaction. Also, the self-interaction of DM is induced by the light dark gauge boson via the same gauge interaction. In addition to these particles, we further introduce two Weyl fermions and a doublet scalar, by which the dark gauge boson produced from s-wave DM annihilations can mostly decay into active neutrinos after the dark symmetry breaking such that the CMB bound on the DM with low masses can be eluded. In order to have a common parameter region to explain the observed relic abundance and self-interaction of DM, we also study this model in a non-standard cosmological evolution, where the cosmic expansion driven by a new field species is faster than the standard radiation-dominated universe during the frozen time of DM. Reversely, one can also use the self-interacting nature of light thermal DM to examine the non-standard cosmological history of the universe.

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arXiv2023

Supernova Axion Emissivity with $Δ(1232)$ Resonance in Heavy Baryon Chiral Perturbation Theory

In this paper, we evaluate the energy loss rate of supernovae induced by the axion emission process $π^- + p \to n + a$ with the $Δ(1232)$ resonance in the heavy baryon chiral perturbation theory for the first time. Given the axion-nucleon-$Δ$ interactions, we include the previously ignored $Δ$-mediated graphs to the $π^- + p \to n + a$ process. In particular, the $Δ^0$-mediated diagram can give a resonance contribution to the supernova axion emission rate when the center-of-mass energy of the pion and proton approaches the $Δ(1232)$ mass. With these new contributions, we find that for the typical supernova temperatures, compared with the earlier work with the axion-nucleon (and axion-pion-nucleon contact) interactions, the supernova axion emissivity can be enhanced by a factor of $\sim$4(2) in the Kim-Shifman-Vainshtein-Zakharov model and up to a factor of $\sim$5(2) in the Dine-Fischler-Srednicki-Zhitnitsky model with small $\tanβ$ values. Remarkably, we notice that the $Δ(1232)$ resonance gives a destructive contribution to the supernova axion emission rate at high supernova temperatures, which is a nontrivial result in this study.

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arXiv2022

An Asymmetric SIMP Dark Matter Model

In this paper, we construct the first asymmetric strongly interacting massive particles (SIMP) dark matter (DM) model, where a new vector-like fermion and a new complex scalar both having nonzero chemical potentials can be asymmetric DM particles. After the spontaneous breaking of a U(1)$^{}_\textsf{D}$ dark gauge symmetry, these two particles can have accidental $\mathbb{Z}^{}_4$ charges making them stable. By adding one more complex scalar as a mediator between the SIMP DM, the relic density of DM is determined by $3 \to 2$ and two-loop induced $2 \to 2$ annihilations in this model. On the other hand, the SIMP DM can maintain kinetic equilibrium with the thermal bath until the DM freeze-out temperature via the new gauge interaction. Interestingly, this model can have a bouncing effect on DM, whereby the DM number density rises after the chemical freeze-out of DM. With this effect, the prediction of the DM self-interacting cross section in this model can be consistent with astrophysical observations, and the ratio of the DM energy density to the baryonic matter energy density can be explained by primordial asymmetries. We also predict the DM-electron elastic scattering cross section that can be used to test this model in future projected experiments.

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arXiv2022

Reshuffled Strongly Interacting Massive Particle Dark Matter

In this work, we reanalyze the multi-component strongly interacting massive particle (mSIMP) scenario using an effective operator approach. As in the single-component SIMP case, the total relic abundance of mSIMP dark matter (DM) is determined by the coupling strengths of $3 \to 2$ processes achieved by a five-point effective operator. Intriguingly, we notice that there is an irreducible $2 \to 2$ process induced by the corresponding five-point interaction in the dark sector, which would reshuffle the mass densities of SIMP DM after the chemical freeze-out. We dub this DM scenario as reshuffled SIMP ($r$SIMP). Given this observation, we then numerically solve the coupled Boltzmann equations including the $3 \to 2$ and $2 \to 2$ processes to get the correct yields of $r$SIMP DM. It turns out that the masses of $r$SIMP DM must be nearly degenerate for them to contribute sizable abundances. On the other hand, we also introduce effective operators to bridge the dark sector and visible sector via a vector portal coupling. Notably, we find that the reshuffled mechanism in the $r$SIMP scenario is sensitive to the size of the DM self-interacting cross section.

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arXiv2022

Scalar and Fermion Two-component SIMP Dark Matter with an Accidental $\mathbb{Z}^{}_4$ Symmetry

In this paper, we construct for the first time a two-component strongly interacting massive particles (SIMP) dark matter (DM) model, where a complex scalar and a vector-like fermion play the role of the SIMP DM candidates. These two particles are stable due to an accidental $\mathbb{Z}^{}_4$ symmetry after the breaking of a $\text{U}(1)^{}_\textsf{D}$ gauge symmetry. By introducing one extra complex scalar as a mediator between the SIMP particles, this model can have $3 \to 2$ processes that determine the DM relic density. On the other hand, the SIMP DM particles can maintain kinetic equilibrium with the thermal bath until the DM freeze-out temperature via the $\text{U}(1)^{}_\textsf{D}$ gauge couplings. Most importantly, we find an unavoidable two-loop induced $2 \to 2$ process tightly connecting to the $3 \to 2$ process that would redistribute the SIMP DM number densities after the chemical freeze-out of DM. Moreover, this redistribution would significantly modify the predictions of the self-interacting cross section of DM compared with other SIMP models. It is crucial to include the two-loop induced $2 \to 2$ annihilations to obtain the correct DM phenomenology.

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arXiv2021

Comment on "New Freezeout Mechanism for Strongly Interacting Dark Matter"

Inspired by our recent paper "reshuffled SIMP dark matter", we notice that the reaction rate of the two-loop induced $2 \to 2$ process may dominate over or be comparable with that of the $3 \to 2$ process at the chemical freezeout of Co-SIMP dark matter [Phys. Rev. Lett. 125, 131301 (2020)], especially when the Co-SIMP mass is close to the standard model particle mass (called the edge case). To check our point, we then derive the Boltzmann equation with all relevant annihilation cross sections in an electrophilic model and numerically solve it to obtain the cosmological evolution of Co-SIMP dark matter. Our result shows that the two-loop induced $2 \to 2$ process does modify the parameter space of the coupling for the edge case in the Co-SIMP mechanism and has to be taken into account in UV completion models.

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arXiv2021

Explaining the MiniBooNE Anomalous Excess via Leptophilic ALP-Sterile Neutrino Coupling

Recently, the MiniBooNE experiment at Fermilab has updated the results with increased data and reported an excess of $560.6 \pm 119.6$ electronlike events ($4.7σ$) in the neutrino operation mode. In this paper, we propose a scenario to account for the excess where a Dirac-type sterile neutrino, produced by a charged kaon decay through the neutrino mixing, decays into a leptophilic axionlike particle ($\ell$ALP) and a muon neutrino. The electron-positron pairs produced from the $\ell$ALP decays can be interpreted as electronlike events provided that their opening angle is sufficiently small. In our framework, we consider the $\ell$ALP with a mass $m^{}_a = 20\,\text{MeV}$ and an inverse decay constant $c^{}_e/f^{}_a = 10^{-2}\,\text{GeV}^{-1}$, allowed by the astrophysical and experimental constraints. Then, after integrating the predicted angular or visible energy spectra of the $\ell$ALP to obtain the total excess event number, we find that our scenario with sterile neutrino masses within $150\,\text{MeV}\lesssim m^{}_N \lesssim 380 \,\text{MeV}$ ($150\,\text{MeV}\lesssim m^{}_N \lesssim 180 \,\text{MeV}$) and neutrino mixing parameters between $10^{-10} \lesssim |U_{μ4}|^2 \lesssim 10^{-8}$ ($3\times 10^{-7} \lesssim |U_{μ4}|^2 \lesssim 8 \times10^{-7}$) can explain the MiniBooNE data.

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arXiv2019

Hidden Monopole Dark Matter via Axion Portal and its Implications for Direct Detection Searches, Beam-Dump Experiments, and the $H_0$ Tension

Hidden monopole is a plausible dark matter candidate due to its stability, but its direct experimental search is extremely difficult due to feeble interactions with the standard model particles in the minimal form. Then, we introduce an axion, $a$, connecting the hidden monopole and the standard model particles and examine the current limits and future prospects of direct dark matter searches and beam-dump experiments. We find two parameter regions around $m_a = {\cal O}(10)$ MeV, $f_a = {\cal O}(10^{5})$ GeV and $m_a = {\cal O}(100)$ MeV, $f_a = {\cal O}(10^{4})$ GeV where monopole dark matter and the axion are respectively within the reach of the future experiments such as PICO-500 and SHiP. We also note that the hidden photons mainly produced by the axion decay contribute to dark radiation with $ΔN_{\rm eff} \simeq 0.6$ which can relax the $H_0$ tension.

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arXiv2019

Relaxing the Cosmological Moduli Problem by Low-scale Inflation

We show that the cosmological abundance of string axions is much smaller than naive estimates if the Hubble scale of inflation, $H_{\rm inf}$, is sufficiently low (but can still be much higher than the axion masses) and if the inflation lasts sufficiently long. The reason is that the initial misalignment angles of the string axions follow the Bunch-Davies distribution peaked at the potential minima. As a result, the cosmological moduli problem induced by the string axions can be significantly relaxed by low-scale inflation, and astrophysical and cosmological bounds are satisfied over a wide range of the mass without any fine-tuning of the initial misalignment angles. Specifically, the axion with its decay constant $f_ϕ= 10^{16}$\,GeV satisfies the bounds over $10^{-18}{\rm \, eV} \lesssim m_ϕ\lesssim 10{\rm\,TeV}$ for $H_{\rm inf} \lesssim 10{\rm\,keV}- 10^{6}$\,{\rm GeV}. We also discuss cases with multiple axions and the QCD axion.

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arXiv2018

Enhanced photon coupling of ALP dark matter adiabatically converted from the QCD axion

We revisit the adiabatic conversion between the QCD axion and axion-like particle (ALP) at level crossing, which can occur in the early universe as a result of the existence of a hypothetical mass mixing. This is similar to the Mikheyev-Smirnov-Wolfenstein effect in neutrino oscillations. After refining the conditions for the adiabatic conversion to occur, we focus on a scenario where the ALP produced by the adiabatic conversion of the QCD axion explains the observed dark matter abundance. Interestingly, we find that the ALP decay constant can be much smaller than the ordinary case in which the ALP is produced by the realignment mechanism. As a consequence, the ALP-photon coupling is enhanced by a few orders of magnitude, which is advantageous for the future ALP and axion-search experiments using the ALP-photon coupling.

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arXiv2017

A Radiative Neutrino Mass Model with SIMP Dark Matter

We propose the first viable radiative seesaw model, in which the neutrino masses are induced radiatively via the two-loop Feynman diagram involving Strongly Interacting Massive Particles (SIMP). The stability of SIMP dark matter (DM) is ensured by a $\mathbb{Z}_5$ discrete symmetry, through which the DM annihilation rate is dominated by the $3 \to 2$ self-annihilating processes. The right amount of thermal relic abundance can be obtained with perturbative couplings in the resonant SIMP scenario, while the astrophysical bounds inferred from the Bullet cluster and spherical halo shapes can be satisfied. We show that SIMP DM is able to maintain kinetic equilibrium with thermal plasma until the freeze-out temperature via the Yukawa interactions associated with neutrino mass generation.

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arXiv2016

Systematic U(1)_{B-L} Extensions of Loop-Induced Neutrino Mass Models with Dark Matter

We study the gauged U(1)_{B-L} extensions of the models for neutrino masses and dark matter. In this class of models, tiny neutrino masses are radiatively induced through the loop diagrams, while the origin of the dark matter stability is guaranteed by the remnant of the gauge symmetry. Depending on how the lepton number is violated in the neutrino mass diagrams, these models are systematically classified. We present a complete list for the one-loop Z_2 and the two-loop Z_3 neutrino mass models as examples of the classification. These underlying gauge symmetries and its breaking patterns can be probed at future high energy colliders by looking at the width of the new gauge boson.

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arXiv2015

Effects of Two Inert Scalar Doublets on Higgs Interactions and Electroweak Phase Transition

We study some implications of the presence of two inert scalar doublets which are charged under a dark Abelian gauge symmetry. Specifically, we investigate the effects of the new scalars on oblique electroweak parameters and on the interactions of the 125 GeV Higgs boson, especially its decay modes $h\toγγ,γZ$, and trilinear coupling, all of which will be probed with improved precision in future Higgs measurements. Moreover, we explore how the inert scalars may give rise to strongly first-order electroweak phase transition and also show its correlation with sizable modifications to the Higgs trilinear coupling.

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arXiv2014

Exploring X-Ray Lines as Scotogenic Signals

We consider some implications of X-ray lines from certain astronomical objects as potential effects of dark matter decay in the context of the scotogenic model, where neutrinos acquire mass radiatively via one-loop interactions with dark matter. As an example, we focus on the 3.5 keV line recently detected in the X-ray spectra of galaxy clusters, assuming that it stands future scrutiny. We explore the scenario in which the line originates from the slow decay of fermionic dark matter in the model. After obtaining a number of benchmark points representing the parameter space consistent with the new data and various other constraints, we make predictions on several observables in leptonic processes. They include the effective Majorana mass in neutrinoless double-beta decay, the sum of neutrino masses, and the rate of flavor-changing decay mu -> e gamma, as well as the cross sections of e+e- collisions into final states containing nonstandard particles in the model. These are testable in ongoing or future experiments and thus offer means to probe the scotogenic scenario studied.

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arXiv2014

Probing Scotogenic Effects in e+e- Colliders

We explore the possibility of employing e+e- colliders to probe the scotogenic model, in which neutrinos get mass radiatively via one-loop interactions involving dark matter. Assuming the lightest one of the new particles in the model to be fermionic cold dark matter and taking into account various constraints, including those from LHC Higgs experiments, we show that LEP II data on e+e- scattering into a pair of charged leptons plus missing energy can place significant extra restrictions on the parameter space containing sufficiently low masses of the charged scalars in the model. On the other hand, LEP II data on e+e- collisions into a photon plus missing energy do not yield strong constraints. The allowed parameter space can still accommodate Higgs exotic decays into the nonstandard particles and thus is testable at the LHC. We also consider using future measurements of these two types of e+e- scattering at the International Linear Collider to examine the scenario of interest further and find that they can provide complementary information about it, whether or not they reveal scotogenic effects.

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