CMB Constraints on Loop-Induced Decays of Leptophilic Dark Matter

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Main Authors: Montefalcone, Gabriele, Elor, Gilly, Boddy, Kimberly K., Bellomo, Nicola
Format: Preprint
Published: 2025
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author Montefalcone, Gabriele
Elor, Gilly
Boddy, Kimberly K.
Bellomo, Nicola
author_facet Montefalcone, Gabriele
Elor, Gilly
Boddy, Kimberly K.
Bellomo, Nicola
contents Leptophilic sub-MeV spin-zero dark matter (DM) decays into photons via one-loop processes, a scenario that has been in part overlooked in current literature. In this work, we provide updated and comprehensive upper limits on scalar, pseudo-scalar, and axion-like DM-electron couplings based on the latest NPIPE cosmic microwave background data from Planck. Our bounds on the couplings are not only competitive with astrophysical and terrestrial experiments, but outperform them in certain regions of parameter space. Notably, we present the most stringent limits to date on scalar DM with masses around a few keV and pseudo-scalar DM with masses between 100 eV and a few keV. Additionally, we explore, for the first time, the impact of implementing a cosmology-consistent treatment of energy deposition into the cosmic medium.
format Preprint
id arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2503_00110
institution arXiv
publishDate 2025
record_format arxiv
spellingShingle CMB Constraints on Loop-Induced Decays of Leptophilic Dark Matter
Montefalcone, Gabriele
Elor, Gilly
Boddy, Kimberly K.
Bellomo, Nicola
High Energy Physics - Phenomenology
Cosmology and Nongalactic Astrophysics
Leptophilic sub-MeV spin-zero dark matter (DM) decays into photons via one-loop processes, a scenario that has been in part overlooked in current literature. In this work, we provide updated and comprehensive upper limits on scalar, pseudo-scalar, and axion-like DM-electron couplings based on the latest NPIPE cosmic microwave background data from Planck. Our bounds on the couplings are not only competitive with astrophysical and terrestrial experiments, but outperform them in certain regions of parameter space. Notably, we present the most stringent limits to date on scalar DM with masses around a few keV and pseudo-scalar DM with masses between 100 eV and a few keV. Additionally, we explore, for the first time, the impact of implementing a cosmology-consistent treatment of energy deposition into the cosmic medium.
title CMB Constraints on Loop-Induced Decays of Leptophilic Dark Matter
topic High Energy Physics - Phenomenology
Cosmology and Nongalactic Astrophysics
url https://arxiv.org/abs/2503.00110