Search

We provide a transparent discussion of the high temperature asymptotic behaviour of Cosmology in a dilaton-Einstein-Gauss-Bonnet (dEGB) scenario of modified gravity with vanishing scalar potential. In particular, we show that it has a clear interpretation in terms of only three attractors (stable critical points) of a set of autonomous differential equations: $w=-\frac{1}{3}$, $w=1$ and $1

Indirect searches of Dark Matter (DM), in conjugation with `missing track searches' at the collider seem to confine SU(2)$_L$ fermion triplet DM (FTDM) mass within a narrow range around 1 TeV. The canonical picture of the pure FTDM is in tension since it is under-abundant for the said mass range. Several preceding studies have reported that an extra species ($\phi$), redshifts faster than the radiation ($\sim a^{-(4+n)}$ where $n>0$), leads to a faster expanding early Universe by dominating in the energy density with an enhanced Hubble parameter. This has the potential to revive the under-abundant FTDM ($\mathbb{Z}_2$ odd, lightest generation) by causing freeze-out earlier without modifying the interaction strength between DM and thermal bath. On the other hand, although the CP asymmetry produced due to the decay of $\mathbb{Z}_2$ even heavier generations of the triplet remains unaffected, its evolution is greatly affected by the non-standard cosmology. It has been observed through numerical estimations that the minimum mass of the triplet, required to produce sufficient baryon asymmetry of the Universe (BAU), can be lowered up to two orders (compared to the standard cosmology) in this fast expansion scenario. The non-standard parameters $n$ and $T_r$ (a reference temperature below which radiation dominance prevails), which simultaneously control DM abundance as well as the frozen value of BAU, are tightly constrained from the observed experimental values. We have found that $n$ is strictly bounded within the interval $0.4\lesssim n \lesssim 1.8$ where the upper bound is imposed by the BAU constraint whereas the lower bound arises to satisfy the correct DM abundance. It has been noticed that the restriction on $T_r$ is not so stringent as it can vary from sub-GeV to a few tens of GeV., Comment: 40 pages, 10 figures, 1 table, minor changes, version published in JCAP

We use the Weakly Interacting Massive Particle (WIMP) thermal decoupling scenario to probe Cosmologies in dilatonic Einstein Gauss-Bonnet (dEGB) gravity, where the Gauss-Bonnet term is non-minimally coupled to a scalar field with vanishing potential. We put constraints on the model parameters when the ensuing modified cosmological scenario drives the WIMP annihilation cross section beyond the present bounds from DM indirect detection searches. In our analysis we assumed WIMPs that annihilate to Standard Model particles through an s-wave process. For the class of solutions that comply with WIMP indirect detection bounds, we find that dEGB typically plays a mitigating role on the scalar field dynamics at high temperature, slowing down the speed of its evolution and reducing the enhancement of the Hubble constant compared to its standard value. For such solutions, we observe that the corresponding boundary conditions at high temperature correspond asymptotically to a vanishing deceleration parameter q, so that the effect of dEGB is to add an accelerating term that exactly cancels the deceleration predicted by General Relativity. The bounds from WIMP indirect detection are nicely complementary to late-time constraints from compact binary mergers. This suggest that it could be interesting to use other Early Cosmology processes to probe the dEGB scenario., Comment: 30 pages, 8 figures, 1 table. Updated to published version

The existence of prolonged radiation domination prior to the Big Bang Nucleosynthesis (BBN), starting just after the inflationary epoch, is not yet established unanimously. If instead, the universe undergoes a non-standard cosmological phase, it will alter the Hubble expansion rate significantly and may also generate substantial entropy through non-adiabatic evolution. This leads to a thumping impact on the properties of relic species decoupled from the thermal bath before the revival of the standard radiation domination in the vicinity of the BBN. In this work, considering the Dirac nature of neutrinos, we have studied decoupling of ultra-relativistic right-handed neutrinos ($\nu_R$s) in presence of two possible non-standard cosmological phases. While in both cases we have modified Hubble parameters causing faster expansions in the early universe, one of the situations predicts a non-adiabatic evolution and thereby a slower redshift of the photon temperature due to the expansion. Considering the most general form of the collision term with Fermi-Dirac distribution and Pauli blocking factors, we have solved the Boltzmann equation numerically to obtain $\Delta{\rm N}_{\rm eff}$ for the three right-handed neutrinos. We have found that for a large portion of parameter space, the combined effect of early decoupling of $\nu_R$ as well as the slower redshift of photon bath can easily hide the signature of right-handed neutrinos, in spite of precise measurement of $\Delta{\rm N}_{\rm eff}$, at the next generation CMB experiments like CMB-S4, SPT-3G etc. This however will not be applicable for the scenarios with only fast expansion., Comment: 31 pages, 9 figures, Version accepted for publication in JCAP

WIMPs can be captured in compact stars such as white dwarves (WDs) leading to an increase in the star luminosity through their annihilation process. We show that when the WIMP interacts with the nuclear targets within the WD through inelastic scattering and its mass exceeds a few tens GeV the data on low-temperature large-mass WDs in the Messier 4 globular cluster can probe values of the mass splitting $\delta\lesssim$ 40 MeV. Such value largely exceeds those ensuing from direct detection and from solar neutrino searches. We apply such improved constraint to the specific DM scenario of a self-conjugate bi-doublet in the Left-Right Symmetric Model (LRSM), where the standard $SU(2)_L$ group with coupling $g_L$ is extended by an additional $SU(2)_R$ with coupling $g_R$. We show that bounds from WDs significantly reduce the cosmologically viable parameter space of such scenario, in particular requiring $g_R>g_L$. For instance, for $g_R/g_L$ = 1.8 we find the two viable mass ranges 1.2 TeV $\lesssim m_\chi\lesssim$ 3 TeV and 5 TeV $\lesssim m_\chi\lesssim$ 10 TeV, when the charged $SU(2)_R$ gauge boson mass $M_{W_2}$ is lighter than $\simeq$ 12 TeV. We also discuss the ultraviolet completion of the LRSM model, when the latter is embedded in a Grand Unified Theory. We show that such low-energy parameter space and compatibility to proton-decay bounds require a non-trivial extension of the particle content of the minimal model. We provide a specific example where $M_{W_2}\lesssim$ 10 TeV is achieved by extending the LRSM at high energy with color triplets that are singlets under all other groups, and $g_R/g_L>$1 is obtained by introducing $SU(2)_L$ triplets with no $SU(2)_R$ counterparts, i.e. by breaking the symmetry between the multiplets of $SU(2)_L$ and $SU(2)_R$., Comment: 33 pages, 6 figures, 3 tables. Updated to published version

We propose a scenario where dark matter (DM) can be generated non-thermally due to the presence of a light Dirac neutrino portal between the standard model (SM) and dark sector particles. The SM is minimally extended by three right handed neutrinos ($\nu_R$), a Dirac fermion DM candidate ($\psi$) and a complex scalar ($\phi$), transforming non-trivially under an unbroken $\mathbb{Z}_4$ symmetry while being singlets under the SM gauge group. While DM and $\nu_R$ couplings are considered to be tiny in order to be in the non-thermal or freeze-in regime, $\phi$ can be produced either thermally or non-thermally depending upon the strength of its Higgs portal coupling. We consider both these possibilities and find out the resulting DM abundance via freeze-in mechanism to constrain the model parameters in the light of Planck 2018 data. Since the interactions producing DM also produces relativistic $\nu_R$, we check the enhanced contribution to the effective relativistic degrees of freedom $\Delta {\rm N}_{\rm eff}$ in view of existing bounds as well as future sensitivities. We also check the stringent constraints on free-streaming length of such freeze-in DM from structure formation requirements. Such constraints can rule out DM mass all the way up to $\mathcal{O}(100 \, {\rm keV})$ keeping the $\Delta {\rm N}_{\rm eff} \leq \mathcal{O}(10^{-3})$, out of reach from near future experiments. Possible extensions of this minimal model can lead to observable $\Delta {\rm N}_{\rm eff}$ which can be probed at next generation experiments., Comment: 48 pages, 10 captioned figures, matches version accepted for publication in Phys. Rev. D

The quest for new physics beyond the Standard Model is boosted by the recently observed deviation in the anomalous magnetic moments of muon and electron from their respective theoretical prediction. In the present work, we have proposed a suitable extension of the minimal $L_{\mu}-L_{\tau}$ model to address these two experimental results as the minimal model is unable to provide any realistic solution. In our model, a new Yukawa interaction involving first generation of leptons, a singlet vector like fermion ($\chi^{\pm}$) and a scalar (either an SU(2)$_{L}$ doublet $\Phi^\prime_2$ or a complex singlet $\Phi^\prime_4$) provides the additional one loop contribution to $a_{e}$ only on top of the usual contribution coming from the $L_{\mu}-L_{\tau}$ gauge boson ($Z_{\mu\tau}$) to both electron and muon. The judicious choice of $L_{\mu}-L_{\tau}$ charges to these new fields results in a strongly interacting scalar dark matter in $\mathcal{O}({\rm MeV})$ range after taking into account the bounds from relic density, unitarity and self interaction. The freeze-out dynamics of dark matter is greatly influenced by $3\rightarrow2$ scatterings while the kinetic equilibrium with the SM bath is ensured by $2\rightarrow2$ scatterings with neutrinos where $Z_{\mu\tau}$ plays a pivotal role. The detection of dark matter is possible directly through scatterings with nuclei mediated by the SM $Z$ bosons. Moreover, our proposed model can also be tested in the upcoming $e^+e^-$ colliders by searching opposite sign di-electron and missing energy signal i.e. $e^{+} e^{-} \rightarrow \chi^{+} \chi^{-} \rightarrow e^{+} e^{-} \cancel{E}_T$ at the final state., Comment: 54 pages, 7 Tables, 16 figures, new experimental constraints added, a new table including benchmark points added, results remain unchanged, version published in JHEP

We propose a Dirac neutrino portal dark matter scenario by minimally extending the particle content of the Standard Model (SM) with three right handed neutrinos ($\nu_R$), a Dirac fermion dark matter candidate ($\psi$) and a complex scalar ($\phi$), all of which are singlets under the SM gauge group. An additional $\mathbb{Z}_4$ symmetry has been introduced for the stability of dark matter candidate $\psi$ and also ensuring the Dirac nature of light neutrinos at the same time. Both the right handed neutrinos and the dark matter thermalise with the SM plasma due to a new Yukawa interaction involving $\nu_R$, $\psi$ and $\phi$ while the latter maintains thermal contact via the Higgs portal interaction. The decoupling of $\nu_R$ occurs when $\phi$ loses its kinetic equilibrium with the SM plasma and thereafter all three $\mathbb{Z}_4$ charged particles form an equilibrium among themselves with a temperature $T_{\nu_R}$. The dark matter candidate $\psi$ finally freezes out within the dark sector and preserves its relic abundance. We have found that in the present scenario, some portion of low mass dark matter ($M_{\psi}\lesssim10$ GeV) is already excluded by the Planck 2018 data for keeping $\nu_R$s in the thermal bath below a temperature of 600 MeV and thereby producing an excess contribution to $N_{\rm eff}$. The next generation experiments like CMB-S4, SPT-3G etc. will have the required sensitivities to probe the entire model parameter space of this minimal scenario, especially the low mass range of $\psi$ where direct detection experiments are still not capable enough for detection., Comment: 39 pages, 7 figures, 1 table, a new discussion related to the decay of $\phi$ has been added in Appendix A, new figures are added, new references are added, conclusion remains unchanged, version accepted for publication in JCAP

Robots that can manipulate objects in unstructured environments and collaborate with humans can benefit immensely by understanding natural language. We propose a pipelined architecture of two stages to perform spatial reasoning on the text input. All the objects in the scene are first localized, and then the instruction for the robot in natural language and the localized co-ordinates are mapped to the start and end co-ordinates corresponding to the locations where the robot must pick up and place the object respectively. We show that representing the localized objects by quantizing their positions to a binary grid is preferable to representing them as a list of 2D co-ordinates. We also show that attention improves generalization and can overcome biases in the dataset. The proposed method is used to pick-and-place playing cards using a robot arm., Comment: Accepted for ICRA 2021

Exponential suppression or commonly known as the Boltzmann suppression in the number density of dark matter is the key ingredient for creating chemical imbalance prior to the usual thermal freeze-out. A degenerate/quasi-degenerate dark sector can experience a different exponential suppression in the number density analogous to the radioactive decay law leading to a delayed freeze-out mechanism of dark matter known as the co-decaying dark matter. In this work, we study the dynamics of a multicomponent dark matter from thermally decoupled degenerate dark sector in a hidden U$(1)_{X}$ extension of the Standard Model. We compute the relic density of dark matter frozen-out through the co-decaying mechanism by solving four coupled Boltzmann equations. We demonstrate how temperature $T^\prime $ of the dark sector changes due to all types of $3\rightarrow 2$ and $2\rightarrow 2$ interactions along with the eternal expansion of the Universe. We find that $3\rightarrow 2$ interactions enhance $T^\prime$ by producing energetic particles in the dark sector while the excess heat is transferred by $2\rightarrow 2$ interactions to the entire dark sector. As the direct detection is possible only through the feeble portal couplings, we investigate the neutrino and $\gamma$-ray signals from dark matter annihilation via one step cascade processes and compare our results with the measured fluxes of atmospheric neutrinos by Super-Kamiokande and diffuse $\gamma$-rays by Fermi-LAT, EGRET, INTEGRAL collaborations. We find that the present scenario easily evades all the existing bounds from atmospheric neutrino and diffuse $\gamma$-ray observations for degenerate dark sector. However, the constraints are significant for quasi degenerate scenario., Comment: 65 pages, 25 figures, 2 tables, additional indirect detection constraints are included, new references are added, conclusion remains unchanged, version matches with the published version in JHEP

Within Type-I seesaw mechanism, Higgs mass can be dynamically generated via quantum effects of the right handed neutrinos assuming the potential is nearly conformal at the Ultra-Violet. The scenario, named as the "Neutrino Option" allows RH neutrino mass scale upto $M \lesssim$ $10^7$ GeV to be consistent with light neutrino masses, mixing and Higgs mass. Therefore, it is not consistent with standard hierarchical thermal leptogenesis. Parameter space for thermal resonant leptogenesis is highly constrained in this model. We point out that non-thermal pair production of RH neutrinos from inflaton decay corresponds in general to a mild degree of resonance in the CP asymmetry parameter and allows RH mass scale to be smaller more than by an order of magnitude than the thermal strong resonance case. Within the similar parameter space of thermal leptogenesis, RH neutrinos can also be produced from inflaton decay along with a Dark Matter having mass $M_{\rm DM}\lesssim$ 320 MeV. The main constraint in the latter scenario comes from the Ly$\alpha$ constraints on Dark Matter free streaming. We show in addition, that the Neutrino Option introduces a 'phantom window' for the RH mass scale, in which contrary to the usual scenarios, CP asymmetry parameter for leptogenesis decreases with the increase of the RH mass scale and minimally fine-tuned seesaw models naturally exhibit this `phantom window'., Comment: 26 pages, 6 figures; matches the version published in JCAP

Network representation learning has traditionally been used to find lower dimensional vector representations of the nodes in a network. However, there are very important edge driven mining tasks of interest to the classical network analysis community, which have mostly been unexplored in the network embedding space. For applications such as link prediction in homogeneous networks, vector representation (i.e., embedding) of an edge is derived heuristically just by using simple aggregations of the embeddings of the end vertices of the edge. Clearly, this method of deriving edge embedding is suboptimal and there is a need for a dedicated unsupervised approach for embedding edges by leveraging edge properties of the network. Towards this end, we propose a novel concept of converting a network to its weighted line graph which is ideally suited to find the embedding of edges of the original network. We further derive a novel algorithm to embed the line graph, by introducing the concept of collective homophily. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first direct unsupervised approach for edge embedding in homogeneous information networks, without relying on the node embeddings. We validate the edge embeddings on three downstream edge mining tasks. Our proposed optimization framework for edge embedding also generates a set of node embeddings, which are not just the aggregation of edges. Further experimental analysis shows the connection of our framework to the concept of node centrality., Comment: 8 pages, Under review to some conference

We propose a $B-L$ gauged extension of the Standard Model where light neutrino masses arise from type III seesaw mechanism. Unlike the minimal $B-L$ model with three right handed neutrinos having unit lepton number each, the model with three fermion triplets is however not anomaly free. We show that the leftover triangle anomalies can be cancelled by two neutral Dirac fermions having fractional $B-L$ charges, both of which are naturally stable by virtue of a remnant $\mathbb{Z}_2 \times \mathbb{Z}'_2$ symmetry, naturally leading to a two component dark matter scenario without any ad-hoc symmetries. We constrain the model from all relevant phenomenological constraints including dark matter properties. Light neutrino mass and collider prospects are also discussed briefly. Due to additional neutral gauge bosons, the fermion triplets in type III seesaw can have enhanced production cross section in collider experiment., Comment: 50 pages,11 figures, 5 tables, version accepted for publication in JHEP

Non-observation of any dark matter signature at various direct detection experiments over the last decade keeps indicating that immensely popular WIMP paradigm may not be the actual theory of particle dark matter. Non-thermal dark matter produced through freeze-in is an attractive proposal, naturally explaining null results by virtue of its feeble couplings with the Standard Model (SM) particles. We consider a minimal extension of the SM by two gauge singlet fields namely, a $\mathbb{Z}_2$-odd fermion $\chi$ and a pseudo scalar $\tilde{\phi}$, where the former has interactions with the SM particles only at dimension five level and beyond. This introduces natural suppression in the interactions of $\chi$ by a heavy new physics scale $\Lambda$ and forces $\chi$ to be a non-thermal dark matter candidate. We have studied production of $\chi$ in detail taking into account both ultra-violate (UV), infra-red (IR) as well as mixed UV-IR freeze-in and found that for $10^{10}{\rm GeV}\leq\Lambda\leq 10^{15}{\rm GeV}$, $\chi$ is dominantly produced via UV and mixed UV-IR freeze-in when reheat temperature $T_{RH}\gtrsim 10^4$ GeV and below which the production is dominated by IR and mixed freeze-in. Furthermore, we have considered the cascade annihilation $\chi\bar{\chi} \rightarrow \tilde{\phi}\tilde{\phi}\rightarrow 4\gamma$ to address the longstanding $\sim3.5$ keV X-ray line observed from various galaxies and galaxy clusters. We have found that the long-lived intermediate state $\tilde{\phi}$ modifies dark matter density around the galactic centre to an effective density $\rho_{eff}$ which strongly depends on the decay length of $\tilde{\phi}$. Finally, the allowed parameter space in $\Lambda-g$ plane ($g$ is the coupling between $\chi\bar{\chi}$ and $\tilde{\phi}$) is obtained by comparing our result with the XMM Newton observed X-ray flux from the centre of Milky Way galaxy in $2\sigma$ range., Comment: 40 pages, 7 figures, 1 table, additional production channels are added, three new appendices are added, new references are included, minor modifications in results and conclusions, version published in JCAP

We propose an anomaly free unified scenario by invocation of an extra local ${\rm U(1)}_{L_{\mu}-L_{\tau}}$ gauge symmetry. This scenario simultaneously resolves the $R_{K^{(*)}}$ anomalies, the dark matter puzzle and the long-standing discrepancy in muon's anomalous magnetic moment. A complex scalar ($\eta$) having nonzero ${L_{\mu}-L_{\tau}}$ charge has been introduced to break this new U(1) symmetry spontaneously. Moreover, for the purpose of studying dark matter phenomenology and $R_{K^{(*)}}$ anomalies in a correlated manner, we introduce an inert ${\rm SU(2)}_L$ scalar doublet ($\Phi$), a $\mathbb{Z}_2$-odd real singlet scalar ($S$) and a $\mathbb{Z}_2$-odd coloured fermion ($\chi$) which transforms vectorially under the ${\rm U(1)}_{L_{\mu}-L_{\tau}}$ symmetry. This extra gauge symmetry provides a new gauge boson $Z_{\mu\tau}$ which not only gives additional contribution to both $b\to s \ell\ell$ transition and $(g-2)_{\mu}$ but also provides a crucial annihilation channel for dark matter candidate $\rho_1$ of the present scenario. This $\rho_1$ is an admixture of CP-even neutral component of $\Phi$ and $S$. Our analysis shows that the low mass dark matter regime ($M_{\rho_1}\lesssim 60$ GeV) is still allowed by the experiments like XENON1T, LHC (via Higgs invisible branching) and Fermi-LAT, making the dark matter phenomenology drastically different from the standard Inert Doublet and the Scalar Singlet models. Furthermore, the present model is also fairly consistent with the observed branching ratio of $B\to X_s\gamma$ in $3\sigma$ range and is quite capable of explaining neutrino masses and mixings via Type-I seesaw mechanism if we add three right handed neutrinos in the particle spectrum. Finally, we use the latest ATLAS data of non-observation of a resonant $\ell^+\ell^-$ signal at the 13 TeV LHC to constrain the mass-coupling plane of $Z_{\mu\tau}$., Comment: 58 pages, 13 Figures, 3 Tables, Version published in JHEP

In this work, we explain three beyond standard model (BSM) phenomena, namely neutrino masses, the baryon asymmetry of the Universe and Dark Matter, within a single model and in each explanation the right handed (RH) neutrinos play the prime role. Indeed by just introducing two RH neutrinos we can generate the neutrino masses by the Type-I seesaw mechanism. The baryon asymmetry of the Universe can arise from thermal leptogenesis from the decay of lightest RH neutrino before the decoupling of the electroweak sphaleron transitions, which redistribute the $ B-L $ number into a baryon number. At the same time, the decay of the RH neutrino can produce the Dark Matter (DM) as an asymmetric Dark Matter component. The source of CP violation in the two sectors is exactly the same, related to the complex couplings of the neutrinos. By determining the comoving number density for different values of the CP violation in the DM sector, we obtain a particular value of the DM mass after satisfying the relic density bound. We also give prediction for the DM direct detection (DD) in the near future by different ongoing DD experiments., Comment: 30 pages, 8 figures, 1 table, matches with the published version

We study the possibility of keV neutrino dark matter in the minimal $U(1)_{B-L}$ gauge extension of the standard model where three right handed neutrinos are automatically included due to the requirement of anomaly cancellations. Without considering extra additional particles or symmetries, we consider the lightest right handed neutrino to be in the keV mass range which is kinematically long lived. Due to gauge interactions, such a keV neutrino can be thermally produced in the early Universe followed by decoupling while being relativistic. The final relic abundance of such keV neutrino typically overclose the Universe requiring additional mechanism to bring it under observed limits. We propose a non-standard cosmological history where a scalar field $\phi$, that redshifts faster than radiation dominates the Universe prior to the radiation dominated era. We show that such a non-standard phase can keep the abundance of thermally generated keV neutrino dark matter within observed relic abundance. We constrain the non-standard phase, $U(1)_{B-L}$ parameters from these requirements and also briefly comment upon the observational aspects of such keV neutrino dark matter., Comment: 23 pages, 5 figures

We propose a minimal predictive scenario for dark matter and radiative neutrino mass where the relic abundance of dark matter is generated from a hybrid setup comprising of both thermal freeze-out as well as non-thermal freeze-in mechanisms. Considering three copies of fermion triplets and one scalar doublet, odd under an unbroken $\mathbb{Z}_2$ symmetry, to be responsible for radiative origin of neutrino mass, we consider the lightest fermion triplet as a dark matter candidate which remains under-abundant in the sub-TeV regime from usual thermal freeze-out. Late decay of the $\mathbb{Z}_2$-odd scalar doublet into dark matter serves as the non-thermal (freeze-in) contribution which not only fills the thermal dark matter deficit, but also constrains the mother particle's parameter space so that the correct relic abundance of dark matter is generated. Apart from showing interesting differences from the purely freeze-out and purely freeze-in dark matter scenarios, the model remains testable through disappearing charge track signatures at colliders, observable direct and indirect detection rates for dark matter and prediction of almost vanishing lightest neutrino mass., Comment: 29 pages, 10 figures, few minor changes in the text, version published in JCAP

We propose a way to generate tiny couplings of freeze-in massive particle dark matter with the Standard Model particles dynamically by considering an extension of the electroweak gauge symmetry. The dark matter is considered to be a singlet under this extended gauge symmetry which we have assumed to be the one in a very widely studied scenario called left-right symmetric model. Several heavy particles, that can be thermally inaccessible in the early Universe due to their masses being greater than the reheat temperature after inflation, can play the role of portals between dark matter and Standard Model particles through one loop couplings. Due to the loop suppression, one can generate the required non-thermal dark matter couplings without any need of highly fine tuned Yukawa couplings beyond that of electron Yukawa with the Standard Model like Higgs boson. We show that generic values of Yukawa couplings as large as $\mathcal{O}(0.01)$ to $\mathcal{O}(1)$ can keep the dark matter out of thermal equilibrium in the early Universe and produce the correct relic abundance later through the freeze-in mechanism. Though the radiative couplings of dark matter are tiny as required by the freeze-in scenario, the associated rich particle sector of the model can be probed at ongoing and near future experiments. The allowed values of dark matter mass can remain in a wide range from keV to TeV order keeping the possibilities of warm and cold dark matter equally possible., Comment: 28 pages, 7 figures, 2 tables, loop expressions corrected, conclusion remains unaltered, two new appendices are added

We propose a model which generates neutrino masses by the inverse seesaw mechanism, provides a viable dark matter candidate and explains the muon ($g-2$) anomaly. The Standard Model (SM) gauge group is extended with a gauged U(1)$_{\rm B-L}$ as well as a gauged U(1)$_{\rm L_{\mu} - L_{\tau}}$. While U(1)$_{\rm L_{\mu} - L_{\tau}}$ is anomaly free, the anomaly introduced by U(1)$_{\rm B-L}$ is cancelled between the six SM singlet fermions introduced for the inverse seesaw mechanism and four additional chiral fermions introduced in this model. After spontaneous symmetry breaking the four chiral fermionic degrees of freedom combine to give two Dirac states. The lightest Dirac fermion becomes stable and hence the dark matter candidate. We focus on the region of the parameter space where the dark matter annihilates to the right-handed neutrinos, relating the dark matter sector with the neutrino sector. The U(1)$_{\rm L_{\mu} - L_{\tau}}$ gauge symmetry provides a flavour structure to the inverse seesaw framework, successfully explaining the observed neutrino masses and mixings. We study the model parameters in the light of neutrino oscillation data and find correlation between them. Values of some of the model parameters are shown to be mutually exclusive between normal and inverted ordering of the neutrino mass eigenstates. Moreover, the muon ($g-2$) anomaly can be explained by the additional contribution arising from U(1)$_{\rm L_{\mu} - L_{\tau}}$ gauge boson., Comment: 30 pages, 11 figures, 3 tables, minor changes in the text, conclusion remains unchanged, version published in JHEP

Network representation learning (also known as information network embedding) has been the central piece of research in social and information network analysis for the last couple of years. An information network can be viewed as a linked structure of a set of entities. A set of linked web pages and documents, a set of users in a social network are common examples of information network. Network embedding learns low dimensional representations of the nodes, which can further be used for downstream network mining applications such as community detection or node clustering. Information network representation techniques traditionally use only the link structure of the network. But in real world networks, nodes come with additional content such as textual descriptions or associated images. This content is semantically correlated with the network structure and hence using the content along with the topological structure of the network can facilitate the overall network representation. In this paper, we propose Sac2Vec, a network representation technique that exploits both the structure and content. We convert the network into a multi-layered graph and use random walk and language modeling technique to generate the embedding of the nodes. Our approach is simple and computationally fast, yet able to use the content as a complement to structure and vice-versa. We also generalize the approach for networks having multiple types of content in each node. Experimental evaluations on four real world publicly available datasets show the merit of our approach compared to state-of-the-art algorithms in the domain., Comment: 10 Pages, Submitted to a conference for publication

We explain the existence of neutrino masses and their flavor structure, dark matter relic abundance and the observed 3.5 keV X-ray line within the framework of a gauged $U(1)_{L_{\mu} - L_{\tau}}$ extension of the "scotogenic" model. In the $U(1)_{L_{\mu} - L_{\tau}}$ symmetric limit, two of the the RH neutrinos are degenerate in mass, while the third is heavier. The $U(1)_{L_{\mu} - L_{\tau}}$ symmetry is broken spontaneously. Firstly, this breaks the $\mu-\tau$ symmetry in the light neutrino sector. Secondly, this results in mild splitting of the two degenerate RH neutrinos, with their mass difference given in terms of the $U(1)_{L_{\mu} - L_{\tau}}$ breaking parameter. Finally, we get a massive $Z_{\mu\tau}$ gauge boson. Due to the added $Z_2$ symmetry under which the RH neutrinos and the inert doublet are odd, the canonical Type-I seesaw is forbidden and the tiny neutrino masses are generated radiatively at one loop. The same $Z_2$ symmetry also ensures that the lightest RH neutrino is stable and the other two can only decay into the lightest one. This makes the two nearly-degenerate lighter neutrinos a two-component dark matter, which in our model are produced by the freeze-in mechanism via the decay of the $Z_{\mu\tau}$ gauge boson in the early universe. We show that the next-to-lightest RH neutrino has a very long lifetime and decays into the lightest one at the present epoch explaining the observed 3.5 keV line., Comment: 24 pages, 6 figures, Version published in JCAP, Some minor changes in the text

With the motivation of simultaneously explaining dark matter and neutrino masses, mixing angles, we have invoked the Type-II seesaw model extended by an extra $SU(2)$ doublet $\Phi$. Moreover, we have imposed a $\mathbb{Z}_2$ parity on $\Phi$ which remains unbroken as the vacuum expectation value of $\Phi$ is zero. Consequently, the lightest neutral component of $\Phi$ becomes naturally stable and can be a viable dark matter candidate. On the other hand, light Majorana masses for neutrinos have been generated following usual Type-II seesaw mechanism. Further in this framework, for the first time, we have derived the full set of vacuum stability and unitarity conditions, which must be satisfied to obtain a stable vacuum as well as to preserve the unitarity of the model respectively. Thereafter, we have performed extensive phenomenological studies of both dark matter and neutrino sectors considering all possible theoretical and current experimental constraints. Finally, we have also discussed a qualitative collider signatures of dark matter and associated odd particles at the 13 TeV Large Hadron Collider., Comment: 49 pages, 11 figures, 8 Tables, some typos corrected

The Standard Model (SM) is inadequate to explain the origin of tiny neutrino masses, the dark matter (DM) relic abundance and also the baryon asymmetry of the Universe. In this work to address all the three puzzles, we extend the SM by a local U$(1)_{\rm B-L}$ gauge symmetry, three right-handed (RH) neutrinos for the cancellation of gauge anomalies and two complex scalars having nonzero U$(1)_{\rm B-L}$ charges. All the newly added particles become massive after the breaking of U$(1)_{\rm B-L}$ symmetry by the vacuum expectation value (VEV) of one of the scalar fields $\phi_H$. The other scalar field $\phi_{DM}$, which does not have any VEV, becomes automatically stable and can be a viable DM candidate. Neutrino masses are generated using Type-I seesaw mechanism while the required lepton asymmetry to reproduce the observed baryon asymmetry, can be attained from the CP violating out of equilibrium decays of RH neutrinos in TeV scale. More importantly within this framework, we have studied in detail the production of DM via freeze-in mechanism considering all possible annihilation and decay processes. Finally, we find a situation when DM is dominantly produced from the annihilation of RH neutrinos, which are at the same time also responsible for neutrino mass generation and leptogenesis., Comment: 52 pages, 16 figures, 3 tables, significant modification in the DM section, matches with the published version

We explore a two component dark matter model with a fermion and a scalar. In this scenario the Standard Model (SM) is extended by a fermion, a scalar and an additional pseudo scalar. The fermionic component is assumed to have a global ${\rm U(1)}_{\rm DM}$ and interacts with the pseudo scalar via Yukawa interaction while a $\mathbb{Z}_2$ symmetry is imposed on the other component -- the scalar. These ensure the stability of both the dark matter components. Although the Lagrangian of the present model is CP conserving, however the CP symmetry breaks spontaneously when the pseudo scalar acquires a vacuum expectation value (VEV). The scalar component of the dark matter in the present model also develops a VEV on spontaneous breaking of the $\mathbb{Z}_2$ symmetry. Thus the various interactions of the dark sector and the SM sector are progressed through the mixing of the SM like Higgs boson, the pseudo scalar Higgs like boson and the singlet scalar boson. We show that the observed gamma ray excess from the Galactic Centre, self-interaction of dark matter from colliding clusters as well as the 3.55 keV X-ray line from Perseus, Andromeda etc. can be simultaneously explained in the present two component dark matter model., Comment: 35 pages, 5 figures

The tightening of the constraints on the standard thermal WIMP scenario has forced physicists to propose alternative dark matter (DM) models. One of the most popular alternate explanations of the origin of DM is the non-thermal production of DM via freeze-in. In this scenario the DM never attains thermal equilibrium with the thermal soup because of its feeble coupling strength ($\sim 10^{-12}$) with the other particles in the thermal bath and is generally called the Feebly Interacting Massive Particle (FIMP). In this work, we present a gauged U(1)$_{L_{\mu}-L_{\tau}}$ extension of the Standard Model (SM) which has a scalar FIMP DM candidate and can consistently explain the DM relic density bound. In addition, the spontaneous breaking of the U(1)$_{L_{\mu}-L_{\tau}}$ gauge symmetry gives an extra massive neutral gauge boson $Z_{\mu\tau}$ which can explain the muon ($g-2$) data through its additional one-loop contribution to the process. Lastly, presence of three right-handed neutrinos enable the model to successfully explain the small neutrino masses via the Type-I seesaw mechanism. The presence of the spontaneously broken U(1)$_{L_{\mu}-L_{\tau}}$ gives a particular structure to the light neutrino mass matrix which can explain the peculiar mixing pattern of the light neutrinos., Comment: 30 pages, 8 figures, 3 tables, Version Published in JHEP

The most widely studied scenario in dark matter phenomenology is the thermal WIMP scenario. Inspite of numerous efforts to detect WIMP, till now we have no direct evidence for it. A possible explanation for this non-observation of dark matter could be because of its very feeble interaction strength and hence, failing to thermalise with the rest of the cosmic soup. In other words, the dark matter might be of non-thermal origin where the relic density is obtained by the so-called freeze-in mechanism. Furthermore, if this non-thermal dark matter is itself produced substantially from the decay of another non-thermal mother particle, then their distribution functions may differ in both size and shape from the usual equilibrium distribution function. In this work, we have studied such a non-thermal (fermionic) dark matter scenario in the light of a new type of $U(1)_{\rm B-L}$ model. The $U(1)_{\rm B-L}$ model is interesting, since, besides being anomaly free, it can give rise to neutrino mass by Type II see-saw mechanism. Moreover, as we will show, it can accommodate a non-thermal fermionic dark matter as well. Starting from the collision terms, we have calculated the momentum distribution function for the dark matter by solving a coupled system of Boltzmann equations. We then used it to calculate the final relic abundance, as well as other relevant physical quantities. We have also compared our result with that obtained from solving the usual Boltzmann (or rate) equations directly in terms of comoving number density, $Y$. Our findings suggest that the latter approximation is valid only in cases where the system under study is close to equilibrium, and hence should be used with caution., Comment: 23 figures, 3 Tables, 45 pages, Version published in JCAP

The observation of neutrino masses, mixing and the existence of dark matter are amongst the most important signatures of physics beyond the Standard Model (SM). In this paper, we propose to extend the SM by a local $L_\mu - L_\tau$ gauge symmetry, two additional complex scalars and three right-handed neutrinos. The $L_\mu - L_\tau$ gauge symmetry is broken spontaneously when one of the scalars acquires a vacuum expectation value. The $L_\mu - L_\tau$ gauge symmetry is known to be anomaly free and can explain the beyond SM measurement of the anomalous muon $({\rm g-2})$ through additional contribution arising from the extra $Z_{\mu\tau}$ mediated diagram. Small neutrino masses are explained naturally through the Type-I seesaw mechanism, while the mixing angles are predicted to be in their observed ranges due to the broken $L_\mu-L_\tau$ symmetry. The second complex scalar is shown to be stable and becomes the dark matter candidate in our model. We show that while the $Z_{\mu\tau}$ portal is ineffective for the parameters needed to explain the anomalous muon $({\rm g-2})$ data, the correct dark matter relic abundance can easily be obtained from annihilation through the Higgs portal. Annihilation of the scalar dark matter in our model can also explain the Galactic Centre gamma ray excess observed by Fermi-LAT. We show the predictions of our model for future direct detection experiments and neutrino oscillation experiments., Comment: 33 pages, 12 figures, 3 Tables, Version accepted for publication in JHEP

With the advent of new and more sensitive direct detection experiments, scope for a thermal WIMP explanation of dark matter (DM) has become extremely constricted. The non-observation of thermal WIMP in these experiments has put a strong upper bound on WIMP-nucleon scattering cross section and within a few years it is likely to touch the neutrino floor. Hence in all probability, DM may have some non-thermal origin. In this work we explore in detail this possibility of a non-thermal sterile neutrino DM within the framework of U(1)$_{\rm B-L}$ model. The U(1)$_{\rm B-L}$ model on the other hand is a well-motivated and minimal way of extending the standard model so that it can explain the neutrino masses via Type-I see-saw mechanism. We have shown, besides explaining the neutrino mass, it can also accommodate a non-thermal sterile neutrino DM with correct relic density. In contrast with the existing literature, we have found that $W^\pm$ decay can also be a dominant production mode of the sterile neutrino DM. To obtain the comoving number density of dark matter, we have solved here a coupled set of Boltzmann equations considering all possible decay as well as annihilation production modes of the sterile neutrino dark matter. The framework developed here though has been done for a U(1)$_{\rm B-L}$ model, can be applied quite generally for any models with an extra neutral gauge boson and a fermionic non-thermal dark matter., Comment: 44 pages, 9 eps figures, 2 Tables

In this work, we have considered a gauged $U(1)_{\rm B-L}$ extension of the Standard Model (SM) with three right handed neutrinos for anomaly cancellation and two additional SM singlet complex scalars with non-trivial B-L charges. One of these is used to spontaneously break the $U(1)_{\rm B-L}$ gauge symmetry, leading to Majorana masses for the neutrinos through the standard Type I seesaw mechanism, while the other becomes the dark matter (DM) candidate in the model. We test the viability of the model to simultaneously explain the DM relic density observed in the CMB data as well as the Galactic Centre (GC) $\gamma$-ray excess seen by Fermi-LAT. We show that for DM masses in the range 40-55 GeV and for a wide range of $U(1)_{\rm B-L}$ gauge boson masses, one can satisfy both these constraints if the additional neutral Higgs scalar has a mass around the resonance region. In studying the dark matter phenomenology and GC excess, we have taken into account theoretical as well as experimental constraints coming from vacuum stability condition, PLANCK bound on DM relic density, LHC and LUX and present allowed areas in the model parameter space consistent with all relevant data, calculate the predicted gamma ray flux from the GC and discuss the related phenomenology., Comment: 33 Pages, 11 Figures, 3 Tables, Version accepted for publication in JHEP

Recent data from Reticulum II (RetII) require the energy range of the FermiLAT $\gamma$-excess to be $\sim$ $2-10$ GeV. We adjust our unified nonthermal Dark Matter (DM) model to accommodate this. We have two extra scalars beyond the Standard Model to also explain 3.55 keV X-ray line. Now the mass of the heavier of them has to be increased to lie around 250 GeV, while that of the lighter one remains at 7.1 keV. This requires a new seed mechanism for the $\gamma$-excess and new Boltzmann equations for the generation of the DM relic density. All concerned data for RetII and the X-ray line can now be fitted well and consistency with other indirect limits attained., Comment: 8 eps figures, 1 Table, 7 pages. The paper has been completely rewritten with additional references and discussions of indirect constraints from AMS-02 and ANTARES data. Basic results remain unchanged. Version accepted for publication in Europhysics Letters

We propose the existence of a hidden or dark sector besides the standard model (SM) of particle physics, whose members (both fermionic and bosonic) obey a local SU(2)$_{\rm H}$ gauge symmetry while behaving like a singlet under the SM gauge group. However, the fermiomic fields of the dark sector also possess another global U(1)$_{\rm H}$ symmetry which remains unbroken. The local SU(2)$_{\rm H}$ invariance of the dark sector is broken spontaneously when a scalar field in this sector acquires a vacuum expectation value (VEV) and thereby generating masses to the dark gauge bosons and dark fermions charged under the SU(2)$_{\rm H}$. The lightest fermion in this dark SU(2)$_{\rm H}$ sector can be a potential dark matter candidate. We first examine the viability of the model and constrain the model parameter space by theoretical constraints such as vacuum stability and by the experimental constraints such as PLANCK limit on relic density, LHC data, limits on spin independent scattering cross-section from dark matter direct search experiments etc. We then investigate the gamma rays from the pair annihilation of the proposed dark matter candidate at the Galactic Centre region. We also extend our calculations of gamma rays flux for the case of dwarf galaxies and compare the signatures of gamma rays obtained from these astrophysical sites., Comment: 33 pages, 16 figures, title changed, major revision

A two component model of nonthermal dark matter is formulated to simultaneously explain the Fermi-LAT results indicating a $\gamma$-ray excess observed from our Galactic Centre in the 1-3 GeV energy range and the detection of an X-ray line at 3.55 keV from extragalactic sources. Two additional Standard Model singlet scalar fields $S_2$ and $S_3$ are introduced. These fields couple among themselves and with the Standard Model Higgs doublet $H$. The interaction terms among the scalar fields, namely $H$, $S_2$ and $S_3$, are constrained by the application of a discrete $\mathbb{Z}_2\times \mathbb{Z}^\prime_2$ symmetry which breaks softly to a remnant $\mathbb{Z}^{\prime \prime}_2$ symmetry. This residual discrete symmetry is then spontaneously broken through an MeV order vacuum expectation value $u$ of the singlet scalar field $S_3$. The resultant physical scalar spectrum has the Standard Model like Higgs as $\chi_{{}_{{}_1}}$ with $M_{\chi_{{}_{{}_1}}}\sim 125$ GeV, a moderately heavy scalar $\chi_{{}_{{}_2}}$ with $50 \,\,{\rm GeV} \leq M_{\chi_{{}_{{}_2}}}\leq 80\,\,{\rm GeV}$ and a light $\chi_{{}_{{}_3}}$ with $M_{\chi_{{}_{{}_3}}} \sim 7$ keV. There is only tiny mixing between $\chi_{{}_{{}_1}}$ and $\chi_{{}_{{}_2}}$ as well as between $\chi_{{}_{{}_1}}$ and $\chi_{{}_{{}_3}}$. The lack of importance of domain wall formation in the present scenario from the spontaneous breaking of the discrete symmetry ${\mathbb{Z}_2^{\prime\prime}}$, provided $u\leq 10$ MeV, is pointed out. We find that our proposed two component dark matter model is able to explain successfully both the above mentioned phenomena $-$ the Fermi-LAT observed $\gamma$-ray excess (from the $\chi_{{}_{{}_2}} \rightarrow {\rm b} \bar{\rm b}$ decay mode) and the observation of the X-ray line (from the decay channel $\chi_{{}_{{}_3}}\rightarrow\gamma \gamma$) by the XMM-Newton observatory., Comment: 11 eps Figures, 2 Tables, 32 Pages. Minor addition in Abstract. Inclusion in Section 1 of discussion of earlier attempts to explain the concerned phenomena by astrophysical processes. Extension of discussion in Section 6 to the case of a steeper dark matter density profile. Results unchanged. Version accepted for publication in JHEP

Over the past few years, there has been a hint of the $\gamma$-ray excess observed by the Fermi-LAT satellite borne telescope from the regions surrounding the Galactic Centre at an energy range $\sim 1$-$3$ GeV. The nature of this excess $\gamma$-ray spectrum is found to be consistent with the $\gamma$-ray emission expected from dark matter annihilation at the Galactic Centre while disfavouring other known astrophysical sources as the possible origin of this phenomena. It is also reported that the spectrum and morphology of this excess $\gamma$-rays can well be explained by the dark matter particles having mass in the range $30\sim 40$ GeV annihilating significantly into ${\rm b} \bar{\rm b}$ final state with an annihilation cross section $\sigma {\rm v}\sim (1.4$ - $2.0)\times 10^{-26}$ cm$^3/$s at the Galactic Centre. In this work, we propose a two component dark matter model where two different types of dark matter particles namely a complex scalar and a Dirac fermion are considered. The stability of both the dark sector particles are maintained by virtue of an additional local U$(1)_{\rm X}$ gauge symmetry. We find that our proposed scenario can provide a viable explanation for this anomalous excess $\gamma$-rays besides satisfying all the existing relevant theoretical as well as experimental and observational bounds from LHC, PLANCK and LUX collaborations. The allowed range of "effective annihilation cross section" of lighter dark matter particle for the ${\rm b} \bar{\rm b}$ annihilation channel thus obtained, is finally compared with the limits reported by the Fermi-LAT and DES collaborations using data from various dwarf spheroidal galaxies., Comment: 11 eps figures, 2 tables, 42 pages. Additional constraints on Z' from EWPD and LHC results are considered, two new annihilation channels of \psi and S are introduced, upper limits on dark matter annihilation cross sections from various dwarf spheroidal galaxies are also considered, new references added, basic results remain unchanged. Version accepted for publication in J. Phys. G

Recently there has been a hint of a gamma-ray line at 130 GeV originated from the galactic centre after the analysis of the Fermi-LAT satellite data. Being monochromatic in nature, it rules out the possibility of having its astrophysical origin and there has been a speculation that this line could be originated from dark matter annihilation. In this work, we propose a two component dark matter scenario where an extension of the Standard model by an inert Higgs doublet and a gauge singlet scalar concocted with $\rm {Z_2 \times Z^{\prime}_2}$ symmetry, is considered. We find that our scenario can not only explain the 130 GeV gamma-ray line through dark matter annihilation but also produce the correct dark matter relic density. We have used the Standard Model Higgs mass around 125 GeV as intimated by the LHC data.., Comment: 35 pages, 15 figures, 6 tables, Accepted for publication in JCAP

We consider a simplest extension of Standard Model in which a real SM gauge singlet scalar with an additional discrete symmetry $Z_2$ is introduced to SM. This additional scalar can be a viable candidate of cold dark matter since the stability of $S$ is achieved by the application of $Z_2$ symmetry on $S$. Considering $S$ as a possible candidate of cold dark matter we have solved Boltzmann's equation to find the freeze out temperature and relic density of $S$ for Higgs mass 120 GeV in the scalar mass range 5 GeV to 1 TeV. As $HHSS$ coupling $\delta_2$ appearing in Lagrangian depends upon the value of scalar mass $m_S$ and Higgs mass $m_h$, we have constrained the $m_S - \delta_2$ parameter space by using the WMAP limit on the relic density of dark matter in the universe and the results of recent ongoing dark matter direct search experiments namely CDMS-II, CoGeNT, DAMA, EDELWEISS-II, XENON-10, XENON-100. From such analysis we find two distinct mass regions (a lower and higher mass domain) for such a dark matter candidate that satisfy both the WMAP limit and the experimental results considered here. We have estimated the possible differential direct detection rates and annual variation of total detection rates for this scalar dark matter candidate $S$ for two detector materials namely Ge, Xe. Finally we have calculated the $\gamma-$ray flux from the galactic centre due to annihilation of two 130 GeV scalar dark matter into two monoenergetic $\gamma-$rays., Comment: 21 pages, New calculations, figures and references added

The star formation rate in galaxies should be related to the fraction of gas that can attain densities large enough for gravitational collapse. In galaxies with a turbulent interstellar medium, this fraction is controlled by the effective barotropic index $gamma = dlog P/dlog (rho)$ which measures the turbulent compressibility. When the cooling timescale is smaller than the dynamical timescale, gamma can be evaluated from the derivatives of cooling and heating functions, using the condition of thermal equilibrium. We present calculations of gamma for protogalaxies in which the metal abundance is so small that H_2 and HD cooling dominates. For a heating rate independent of temperature and proportional to the first power of density, the turbulent gas is relatively "hard", with $gamma >= 1$, at large densities, but moderately "soft", $gamma <= 0.8$, at densities below around $10^4 cm^(-3)$. At low temperatures the density probability distribution should fall ra pidly for densities larger than this value, which corresponds physically to the critical density at which collisional and radiative deexcitation rate s of HD are equal. The densities attained in turbulent protogalaxies thus depend on the relatively large deuterium abundance in our universe. We expect the same physical effect to occur in higher metallicity gas with different coolants. The case in which adiabatic (compressional) heating due to cloud collapse dominates is also discussed, and suggests a criterion for the maximum mass of Population III stars., Comment: 8 pages, 5 figures, Accepted for Publication in MNRAS