# Exploring Freeze-out and Freeze-in Dark Matter via Effective Froggatt-Nielsen Theory

**Authors:** Rusa Mandal, Tom Tong  
**arXiv:** [2307.14972](https://arxiv.org/abs/2307.14972)  
**Date:** 2023-07-27  
**Summary page:** https://www.summarizepaper.com/en/arxiv-id/2307.14972v1/

## Key points

- Extension motivated by hierarchical structure in Yukawa sector of SM
- Utilize Froggatt-Nielsen mechanism for masses and mixing patterns of SM fermions
- Introduce right-handed neutrinos as potential dark matter candidate
- Flavon field acts as mediator between dark matter and SM sectors
- Dark matter genesis achieved through freeze-out and freeze-in mechanisms
- Mass range for mediator and dark matter particle from GeV to TeV scales
- Predictions for spin-independent scattering cross sections at direct detection experiments like XENON and LUX-ZEPLIN
- Generate mass spectrum of SM neutrinos through Froggatt-Nielsen charges and Type-I seesaw mechanism
- Flavor-changing neutral current processes remain highly constraining channels for this setup
- Opportunities for testing and validating extended framework within the SM

## Summary

This extension is motivated by the hierarchical structure observed in the Yukawa sector of the SM. The authors utilize the Froggatt-Nielsen mechanism to generate the masses and mixing patterns of SM fermions in an effective theory framework. By introducing right-handed neutrinos, Mandal and Tong explore the possibility of the lightest right-handed neutrino serving as a dark matter candidate. In this scenario, the flavon field acts as a mediator between the dark matter sector and the SM sector. The authors find that dark matter genesis can be achieved through both freeze-out and freeze-in mechanisms, covering a mass range for both the mediator and dark matter particle from around GeV to TeV scales. Additionally, this model predicts tree- and loop-level contributions to spin-independent scattering cross sections at direct detection experiments such as XENON and LUX-ZEPLIN. These predictions could be tested in future upgrades of these experiments. The study also addresses another major shortcoming of the SM by generating the mass spectrum of SM neutrinos through suitable Froggatt-Nielsen charges for fermions, employing Type-I seesaw mechanism. The authors highlight that flavor-changing neutral current processes, including radiative lepton decay, meson mixing, and top-quark decay remain highly constraining channels for this minimal setup. These processes provide opportunities for testing and validating this extended framework that aims to address several significant issues within the SM. Overall, Mandal and Tong's research explores an effective theory approach using flavon fields within an extended SM framework. Their findings shed light on potential solutions for dark matter candidates while also offering insights into other fundamental problems faced by the standard model.