LIGO as a probe of Dark Sectors

Abstract

We show how current LIGO data is able to probe interesting theories beyond the Standard Model, particularly Dark Sectors where a Dark Higgs triggers symmetry breaking via a first-order phase transition. We use publicly available LIGO O2 data to illustrate how these sectors, even if disconnected from the Standard Model, can be probed by Gravitational Wave detectors. We link the LIGO measurements with the model content and mass scale of the Dark Sector, finding that current O2 data is testing a broad set of scenarios where the breaking of $SU(N)$ theories with $N_f$ fermions is triggered by a Dark Higgs at scales $\Lambda \simeq 10^8-10^9$ GeV with reasonable parameters for the scalar potential.

v2: Affiliation corrected, references added.9 pages, 3 figures

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Cited by in corpus (6)

• The Benefits of Diligence: How Precise are Predicted Gravitational Wave Spectra in Models with Phase Transitions?
• Turn up the volume: Listening to phase transitions in hot dark sectors
• Sensitivity to Dark Sector Scales from Gravitational Wave Signatures
• Searching for double-peak and doubly broken gravitational-wave spectra from Advanced LIGO-Virgo's first three observing runs
• Stochastic Gravitational Wave Background from PBH-ABH Mergers
• Naturally-Coupled Dark Sectors