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Twin-peaked gravitational wave signals from a Z2 phase transition

Rishav Roshan1 and Indrajit Saha2

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Phys. Rev. D 114, 075030 – Published 26 October, 2026

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/phgv-tn2t

Abstract

We compute the gravitational wave spectrum from a phase transition associated with the spontaneous breaking of a Z2DW symmetry. If the transition is second-order, the only source of gravitational waves is the annihilation of domain walls (biased by quantum gravity) formed after this breaking. However, if the transition is first-order, this yields a twin-peaked signal from both the transition itself and the biased domain wall annihilation. Both scenarios originate when a scalar singlet odd under the Z2DW obtains a nonzero vacuum expectation value. An additional Z2DM odd scalar doublet strengthens the transition by keeping the singlet scalar in thermal equilibrium with the Standard Model plasma at early times. Additionally, the same scalar doublet produces fermionic dark matter via freeze-in, matching observed dark matter relic density.

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Phys. Rev. D 114, 075030– Published 26 October, 2026
  • Received 23 March 2026
  • Accepted 1 October 2026
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