Theoretical
Physics (DTP)
Physique théorique (DPT)
Maxim POSPELOV
University of Victoria
Search for Dark Matter
in B -> S Transition With Missing Energy*
We show that the decay of B mesons
to K(K*) and missing energy in the final state can be an efficient probe of
dark matter in the mass range 0 < mS < 2.4 GeV where
the decay into a pair of dark matter particles S is kinematically
allowed. We analyze a model with the
scalar dark matter coupled to the Standard Model sector via the Higgs boson to
show that the width of the Higgs penguin-mediated decay mode 
may exceed the decay
width in the Standard Model channel, 
, by up to two orders of magnitude if the required
cosmological abundance of scalars is achieved through the annihilation at the
freeze-out. Existing data from B
physics experiments exclude scalar dark matter with mS <
430 MeV and 510 MeV < mS < 1.1 GeV. Expected data from B
factories will probe the range of dark matter masses up to 2 GeV.
*In collabaration with: C. Bird, P. Jackson,
R. Kowalewski, University of Victoria.