Hidden sector and gravity

Abstract

In this paper, we consider a generic hidden sector which interacts only gravitationally with Standard Model particles. We show that quantum gravity leads to operators which can be probed with fifth force type experiments. The Eöt-Wash torsion pendulum experiment implies that the masses of any scalar field or any massive spin-2 field that couples with the usual gravitational strength to the energy-momentum tensor of the Standard Model must be larger than 10−3 eV. This has interesting consequences for models of dark matter which posit very light scalar fields. Dark matter must be heavier than 10−3 eV if it is a scalar field or a massive spin-2 field.