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  • Letter
  • Open Access

Probing lepton flavor violating dark matter scenarios via astrophysical photons and positrons

Jin-Han Liang*, Yi Liao†, and Xiao-Dong Ma‡

  • *Contact author: jinhanliang@m.scnu.edu.cn
  • †Contact author: liaoy@m.scnu.edu.cn
  • ‡Contact author: maxid@scnu.edu.cn
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Phys. Rev. D 113, L031701 – Published 5 February, 2026

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/fjss-m46n

Abstract

In this Letter we explore, for the first time, the constraints on lepton flavor violating (LFV) dark matter (DM) scenarios via the astrophysical photons and positrons, including both the annihilation and decay modes, DM(+DM)→e±μ∓,e±τ∓,μ±τ∓. Given the presence of LFV interactions in various DM models and the challenge of probing such interactions at terrestrial facilities, such as DM direct detection and collider experiments, indirect detection offers a unique approach to investigating them. We utilize the currently available photon datasets from the XMM-Newton, INTEGRAL, and Fermi-LAT telescopes, along with the positron datasets from the AMS-02 satellite, to establish stringent bounds on the relevant annihilation cross sections or decay widths. In particular, we include contributions to the photon spectrum from final state radiation, radiative decays, and inverse Compton scattering. We find that the INTEGRAL (AMS-02) provides the most stringent bound on the annihilation cross sections and decay widths for DM mass below (above) approximately 20 GeV, which are comparable to those of their lepton flavor conserving counterparts.

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Outline

Information

Phys. Rev. D 113, L031701– Published 5 February, 2026
  • Received 15 August 2025
  • Accepted 16 January 2026
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