Dark matter production accompanied by gravitational wave signals during cosmological phase transitions

Abstract

Abstract We investigate the temperature-dependent production of feebly interacting massive dark matter particle (FIMP DM) within a $$Z_2$$ Z 2 model, incorporating two $$Z_2$$ Z 2 -odd scalar fields. In specific parameter regions, three distinct mechanisms individually dominate the production of the FIMP DM. These mechanisms include the semi-production process, commonly known as the “exponential growth” process, the three-body decay process, and the production from pair annihilations of the bath particles. It is crucial to consider the thermal history during the evolution of FIMPs, as it involves multiple phase transitions occurring prior to the freeze-in of dark matter. Consequently, the scalar masses experience thermal variations, leading to distinctive evolutionary trajectories for FIMPs when compared to scenarios without accounting for the thermal effects. Notably, the unique patterns of FIMP evolution are accompanied by the production of gravitational waves, presenting promising opportunities for detection using forthcoming interferometers.