Superheavy Q-Balls and Cosmology

Abstract

We propose a model for the cosmological formation of superheavy Q-Balls in the mass range $10^{-7}{M}_{\odot }$ to $10^6{M}_{\odot }$. The model is based on a hidden sector scalar potential motivated by broken scale invariance, for which analytic Q-ball solutions and numerical simulations of condensate fragmentation exist. We show that this potential can produce superheavy Q-balls during the radiation-dominated era. As an example, we show that it is possible to produce Q-balls of mass $\sim 10^6{M}_{\odot }$ and diameter $\sim$ 100 light years, with a number density $\sim 1$ per galaxy. Such early-forming superheavy Q-balls could play a role in galaxy and supermassive black hole (SMBH) formation. We also show that it is possible to form smaller mass Q-balls with large numbers per galaxy volume, that could form SMBH by merging. Finally, we show that it is possible to produce asteroid mass Q-balls that could account for all of the dark matter whilst remaining consistent with observational limits on MACHOs.

19 pages. Additional discussion of mergers and collisions. Version published in JCAP