Pseudo-scalar dark matter from a broken gauged symmetry

A bstract We propose a novel model for pseudo-scalar dark matter (PSDM) by extending the Standard Model (SM) with a dark gauged U (1) X symmetry, but without dark charged fermions. We impose a Z 2 symmetry to ensure the stability of pseudo-scalar dark matter and regard the U (1) X symmetry as being broken dominantly by a large VEV of the singlet scalar field. The would-be Goldstone associated with the U (1) X gauge boson is almost orthogonal to the direction of PSDM. As a result, we show that PSDM appears as a stable pseudo-Nambu-Goldstone boson receiving the mass from the U (1) X invariant mixing potential and the corresponding cross section for direct detection gets suppressed even for the weak-scale mass of PSDM. We also show that the correct relic density can be explained by the PSDM annihilations into the SM particles or into a pair of light Higgs-like scalars, being compatible with the bounds from Higgs invisible decay, Higgs data and indirect detection.