Heavy neutrino as dark matter in a neutrinophilic U(1) model

Abstract We study the prospect of heavy singlet neutrinos as a dark matter (DM) candidate within a neutrinophilic U (1) model, where the Standard Model (SM) is extended with a U (1) gauge symmetry, and neutrino mass and oscillation parameters are explained through an inverse see-saw mechanism. The lightest of the heavy neutrinos plays the role of the DM, while the newly introduced scalars and the extra gauge boson $$Z'$$ <mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML"> <mml:msup> <mml:mi>Z</mml:mi> <mml:mo>′</mml:mo> </mml:msup> </mml:math> act as mediators between the dark sector and the SM sector. We show the range of model parameters where this DM candidate can be accommodated in the Weakly Interacting Massive Particle (WIMP) or Feebly Interacting Massive Particle (FIMP) scenario. The observed DM relic density (DMRD) is achieved via the new gauge boson and singlet scalar portals in the WIMP scenario, whereas within the FIMP scenario, these two particles assume a distinct yet pivotal role in generating the observed DMRD.