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Dark matter from axions and small neutrino masses

Shivam Gola*

  • *Contact author: shivamg.sk@rnd.iitg.ac.in
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Phys. Rev. D 112, 035006 – Published 4 August, 2025

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/v9ky-jfnb

Abstract

We explore a Kim-Shifman-Vainshtein-Zakharov-like extension of the Standard Model with a Dirac fermion and three right-handed neutrinos. Peccei-Quinn (PQ) symmetry allows the Dirac mass for neutrinos and prevents the Majorana mass. A Z2 symmetry guarantees the stability of Dirac fermion dark matter. The breakdown of PQ symmetry generates the QCD axion at a high scale. The fermion dark matter relic abundance arises from the UV-freeze-in mechanism through the axion portal. We determine the fermion dark matter (DM) relic by solving the coupled Boltzmann equations and finding the allowed parameter space using the relic density constraints. Having determined the allowed parameter space for fermion DM, we also look for nonthermal axion production schemes to seek the two DM possibility. We find that feebly interacting massive particles alone is a suitable dark matter that is not excluded while considering several current bounds and future sensitivities on axions and dark matter. Our study highlights the interlinking of dark matter, axions, and neutrinos while addressing the strong CP problem and small neutrino masses.

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Phys. Rev. D 112, 035006– Published 4 August, 2025
  • Received 13 January 2025
  • Accepted 15 July 2025
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