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Decaying scalar dark matter in the minimal left-right symmetric model

P. S. Bhupal Dev1,*, Julian Heeck2,†, and Anil Thapa2,3,‡

  • *Contact author: bdev@wustl.edu
  • †Contact author: heeck@virginia.edu
  • ‡Contact author: a.thapa@colostate.edu
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Phys. Rev. D 112, 015004 – Published 2 July, 2025

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/x6x1-76p8

Abstract

In the minimal left-right symmetric theory, the dark matter candidate is usually ascribed to the lightest right-handed neutrino. Here we present an alternative decaying dark matter candidate in this model in terms of the lightest neutral scalar from the SU(2)R-triplet field. This setup requires a vast hierarchy between the scalar mass and the left-right symmetry breaking scale, which renders the scalar dark matter sufficiently stable on cosmological time scales. The stability of the dark matter imposes constraints on the right-handed neutrino mass, which has consequences for the neutrino mass generation, as well as for leptogenesis. Although somewhat fine-tuned, it provides a very economical scenario wherein the minimal left-right model can simultaneously explain dark matter, neutrino masses, and the matter-antimatter asymmetry of the Universe.

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Phys. Rev. D 112, 015004– Published 2 July, 2025
  • Received 6 March 2025
  • Accepted 17 June 2025
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