Branon dark matter

By Antonio L. Maroto, Dept. Fisica Teorica, Universidad Complutense de Madrid

We explore the different possibilities for brane fluctuations (branons) as dark matter candidates. We consider a general brane-world model, parametrized by the number of extra dimensions N, the fundamental scale of gravity M_D, the brane tension scale f and the branon mass M. We analyse the parameter region in which branons behave as collisionless thermal relics (WIMPs), either cold or hot (warm). We also consider the possibility of producing branons non-thermally and their relevance in the cosmic coincidence problem. Finally we show that some of the branon distinctive signals could be detected in future colliders and in direct or indirect dark matter searches.