A Dark Atom Scenario for Direct Dark Matter Investigation
This paper extensively explores the concept of dark atoms, hypothetical stable lepton-like particles with a charge of −2n (where n is any natural number) that form neutral bound states with n primordial helium nuclei. The discussion begins with the introduction of multiply charged stable particles. Next, the formation and evolution of dark atoms are examined, followed by a review of related constraints. The capture of dark atoms by the Earth and implications for direct dark matter search are subsequently discussed. Then, the quantum-mechanical description of bound states between dark atoms and ordinary nuclei is addressed. Moreover, procedures for systematic comparisons with this model, which have general interest, are presented considering the DAMA published results on the dark matter annual and diurnal modulation signatures as a benchmark.
Authors
- Vitaly Beylin (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9727-0116)
- V. Ya. Korchagin
- Timur Bikbaev (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0007-2674-2490)
- R. Bernabei (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1786-5396)
- Artem Kharakhashyan (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2921-1664)
- Danila O. Sopin (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0005-2252-9794)
- A. G. Mayorov (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6283-0817)
- M. Khlopov
- Pierluigi Belli
Institutions
- University of Rome Tor Vergata (IT)
- Southern Federal University (RU)
- Laboratoire AstroParticule et Cosmologie (FR)
- Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare, Roma Tor Vergata (IT)
- National Research Nuclear University MEPhI (RU)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Universe
- Published
- 2026-04-15
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.3390/universe12040116
- Primary Topic
- Dark Matter and Cosmic Phenomena
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00
Funders
- Russian Science Foundation
- Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation
- Southern Federal University