IceCube events and decaying dark matter: hints and constraints

Abstract

In the light of the new IceCube data on the (yet unidentified) astrophysical neutrino flux in the PeV and sub-PeV range, we present an update on the status of decaying dark matter interpretation of the events. In particular, we develop further the angular distribution analysis and discuss the perspectives for diagnostics. By performing various statistical tests (maximum likelihood, Kolmogorov-Smirnov and Anderson-Darling tests) we conclude that currently the data show a mild preference (below the two sigma level) for the angular distribution expected from dark matter decay vs. the isotropic distribution foreseen for a conventional astrophysical flux of extragalactic origin. Also, we briefly develop some general considerations on heavy dark matter model building and on the compatibility of the expected energy spectrum of decay products with the IceCube data, as well as with existing bounds from gamma-rays. Alternatively, assuming that the IceCube data originate from conventional astrophysical sources, we derive bounds on both decaying and annihilating dark matter for various final states. The lower limits on heavy dark matter lifetime improve by up to an order of magnitude with respect to existing constraints, definitively making these events---even if astrophysical in origin---an important tool for astroparticle physics studies.

27 pages, 10 figures; v2: references added, clarifications included, matches the version published in JCAP

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Cited by in corpus (9)

• Spectral analysis of the high-energy IceCube neutrinos
• Boosted Dark Matter in IceCube and at the Galactic Center
• High-energy gamma-ray and neutrino backgrounds from clusters of galaxies and radio constraints
• Interpreting IceCube 6-year HESE data as an evidence for hundred TeV decaying Dark Matter
• Possible Interpretations of IceCube High-Energy Neutrino Events
• Sterile Neutrinos and Flavor Ratios in IceCube
• Probing decaying heavy dark matter with the 4-year IceCube HESE data
• Dark Matter interpretation of low energy IceCube MESE excess
• PeV Scale Right Handed Neutrino Dark Matter in $S_4$ Flavor Symmetric extra U(1) model