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Dark Matter Induced Proton Decays

Ranjeet Kumar, Rahul Srivastava

Abstract

We propose a novel theoretical framework in which proton decay is induced by the dark matter. While proton decay requires violation of the $B+L$ symmetry, dark matter stability often relies on the presence of an unbroken symmetry. These seemingly distinct phenomena are unified through the global $U(1)_{B+L}$ symmetry inherent in the Standard Model. Its spontaneous breaking leads to a residual $Z_4$ symmetry, which ensures dark matter stability and forbids proton decay at tree level. Consequently, proton decay occurs at the one-loop level, mediated by dark sector particles. The proton lifetime is linked with the dark matter, the heavier dark matter mass enhancing proton stability, and vice versa. The $\mathcal{O}$(TeV) masses of the mediators remain consistent with current proton lifetime limits, making them accessible to experimental searches. In particular, the leptoquark mediating proton decay, carrying exotic $B+L$ charges, leads to a distinctive signature in collider searches. By intertwining proton decay, dark matter stability, and collider phenomenology, this framework offers distinctive signatures that can be probed in current and future experiments.

Dark Matter Induced Proton Decays

Abstract

We propose a novel theoretical framework in which proton decay is induced by the dark matter. While proton decay requires violation of the symmetry, dark matter stability often relies on the presence of an unbroken symmetry. These seemingly distinct phenomena are unified through the global symmetry inherent in the Standard Model. Its spontaneous breaking leads to a residual symmetry, which ensures dark matter stability and forbids proton decay at tree level. Consequently, proton decay occurs at the one-loop level, mediated by dark sector particles. The proton lifetime is linked with the dark matter, the heavier dark matter mass enhancing proton stability, and vice versa. The (TeV) masses of the mediators remain consistent with current proton lifetime limits, making them accessible to experimental searches. In particular, the leptoquark mediating proton decay, carrying exotic charges, leads to a distinctive signature in collider searches. By intertwining proton decay, dark matter stability, and collider phenomenology, this framework offers distinctive signatures that can be probed in current and future experiments.

Paper Structure

This paper contains 15 sections, 17 equations, 17 figures, 2 tables.

Table of Contents

  1. Introduction
  2. Model Framework
  3. Scalar Sector
  4. Fermion Sector
  5. Proton Decay
  6. Consequences of discrete $Z_4$ symmetry violation
  7. Dark Matter
  8. Collider Signature
  9. Collider Signature of Leptoquark $\tilde{S_1}$
  10. Collider Signature of heavy charged lepton $E$ and vector-like quark $U$
  11. Conclusions
  12. Acknowledgments
  13. Fermionic DM Scenario
  14. Computation of Proton Decay Rate
  15. Anomalies of the $U(1)_{B+L}$ Symmetry

Figures (17)

  • Figure 1: The diagrams depict the stability of the DM candidate under residual $Z_4$ symmetry. Left: the lightest odd sector particle is stable, right: the decay of DM candidate to SM particles is forbidden by the residual symmetry.
  • Figure 2: Proton decay at one-loop level mediated by new dark sector particles, where $\zeta$ is the DM candidate.
  • Figure 3: Correlation between the proton lifetime $\tau$ and the DM mass $m_{\rm{DM}}$. The horizontal black line indicates the SK limit on the proton lifetime Super-Kamiokande:2020wjk.
  • Figure 4: Representative Feynman diagrams illustrating loop-level (a, conserved $Z_4$) and tree level (b, broken $Z_4$) proton decay and DM decay (c, broken $Z_4$) mechanisms in our model.
  • Figure 5: The relic density as a function of DM mass $m_{\rm{DM}}$ is shown. The gray, magenta, and yellow colors represent the under, correct, and over abundance of relic density, respectively.
  • ...and 12 more figures