Conformal Freeze-in (COFI) scenario postulates a dark sector described by a conformal field theory (CFT) at energies above the “gap scale” in the keV – MeV range. At the gap scale, the dark CFT undergoes confinement, and one of the resulting bound states is identified as the dark matter candidate. In this paper, we study this model in the context of the AdS/CFT correspondence with a focus on the mechanism of the infrared (IR) breaking of conformal invariance in the dark sector. We construct the holographic dual to the conformal dark sector, given by a Randall-Sundrum-like model in 5D, where the Standard Model (SM) fields and the dark matter candidate are placed on the ultraviolet (UV) and IR branes respectively. The separation between the UV and IR branes is stabilized by a bulk scalar field, naturally generating a hierarchy between the electroweak scale and the gap scale. We find that the parameter space of COFI comprises two distinct branches of CFT’s living on the Anti-de-Sitter (AdS) boundary, each corresponding to a different UV boundary condition. The two branches of CFT’s result in different radion potentials. The confinement of the CFT is dual to the spontaneous symmetry breaking by the 5D radion potential. We then use this dual 5D setup to study the cosmological confining phase transition in the dark sector. We find the viable parameter space of the theory which allows the phase transition to complete promptly without significant supercooling.

United States

Lillian Luo

Maxim Perelstein

Conformal Freeze-in dark matter: 5D dual and phase transition

This brief review is dedicated to the memory of Maxim V. Polyakov and his pioneering contributions to pentaquark physics. We focus on his seminal 1997 work with Diakonov and Petrov that predicted the \({\mit \Theta }^+\) pentaquark, a breakthrough that initiated an intense period of research in hadron physics. The field faced a significant setback when the CLAS Collaboration at Jefferson Lab reported null results in 2006, leading to a dramatic decline in light-pentaquark research. Nevertheless, Maxim maintained his scientific conviction, supported by continued positive signals from the DIANA and LEPS collaborations. Through recent experimental findings on the \({\mit \Theta }^+\) and the nucleon-like resonance \(N^*(1685)\), we examine how Polyakov’s theoretical insights, particularly the prediction of a narrow width (\({\mit \Gamma } \approx 0.5\)–\(1.0\) MeV), remain relevant to our understanding of the \({\mit \Theta }^+\) light pentaquark. Abstract Published by the Jagiellonian University 2025 authors

South Korea

H.-Ch. Kim

Pentaquarks and Maxim V. Polyakov

We study a scenario where a dark sector, described by a Conformal Field Theory (CFT), interacts with the Standard Model through the neutrino portal. In this setup, conformal invariance breaks below the electroweak scale, causing the theory to transition into a confined (hadronic) phase. One of the hadronic excitations in this phase can act as dark matter. In the “Conformal Freeze-In” cosmological framework, the dark sector is populated through interactions with the Standard Model at temperatures where it retains approximate conformal symmetry. The dark matter relic density depends on the CFT parameters, such as the dimension of the operator coupled to the Standard Model. We demonstrate that this model can reproduce the DM relic density and meet all observational constraints. The same neutrino portal interaction may also generate masses for the active neutrinos. The dark matter candidate could either be a pseudo-Goldstone boson (PGB) or a composite fermion with the quantum numbers of a sterile neutrino. In the latter case, the model is consistent with the current X-ray constraints, and may be detectable with future X-ray observations.

Sungwoo Hong

Taewook Youn

Conformal freeze-in from neutrino portal

In this paper we study a near-continuum dark matter model, in which dark sector consists of a tower of closely spaced states with weak-scale masses. We construct a five-dimensional model which naturally realizes this spectrum. The dark matter is described by a bulk field, which interacts with the brane-localized Standard Model sector via a Z portal. We then study collider signatures of this model. Near-continuum dark matter states produced in a collider undergo cascade decays, resulting in events with high multiplicity of jets and leptons, large missing energy, and displaced vertices. A custom-built Monte Carlo tool described in this paper allows for detailed simulation of the signal events. We present results of such simulations for the case of electron-positron collisions.

Steven Ferrante

Seung Lee

Collider signatures of near-continuum dark matter

Experiments at particle colliders are the primary source of insight into physics at microscopic scales. Searches at these facilities often rely on optimization of analyses targeting specific models of new physics. Increasingly, however, data-driven model-agnostic approaches based on machine learning are also being explored. A major challenge is that such methods can be highly sensitive to the presence of many irrelevant features in the data. This paper presents Boosted Decision Tree (BDT)-based techniques to improve anomaly detection in the presence of many irrelevant features. First, a BDT classifier is shown to be more robust than neural networks for the Classification Without Labels approach to finding resonant excesses assuming independence of resonant and non-resonant observables. Next, a tree-based probability density estimator using copula transformations demonstrates significant stability and improved performance over normalizing flows as irrelevant features are added. The results make a compelling case for further development of tree-based algorithms for more robust resonant anomaly detection in high energy physics.

Marat Freytsis

Yik San

Anomaly detection in the presence of irrelevant features

Light dark matter particles may be produced in electron and positron beam dumps of the International Linear Collider (ILC). We propose an experimental setup to search for such events, the Beam-Dump eXperiment at the ILC (ILC-BDX). The setup consists of a muon shield placed behind the beam dump, followed by a multi-layer tracker and an electromagnetic calorimeter. The calorimeter can detect electron recoils due to elastic scattering of dark matter particles produced in the dump, while the tracker is sensitive to decays of excited dark-sector states into the dark matter particle. We study the production, decay and scattering of sub-GeV dark matter particles in this setup in several models with a dark photon mediator. Taking into account beam-related backgrounds due to neutrinos produced in the beam dump as well as the cosmic-ray background, we evaluate the sensitivity reach of the ILC-BDX experiment. We find that the ILC-BDX will be able to probe interesting regions of the model parameter space and, in many cases, reach well below the relic target.

Japan

Kento Asai

Hungary

Taiwan

Sho Iwamoto

Yasuhito Sakaki

China

Daiki Ueda

Sub-GeV dark matter search at ILC beam dumps

We consider theories in which a dark sector is described by a Conformal Field Theory (CFT) over a broad range of energy scales. A coupling of the dark sector to the Standard Model breaks conformal invariance. While weak at high energies, the breaking grows in the infrared, and at a certain energy scale the theory enters a confined (hadronic) phase. One of the hadronic excitations can play the role of dark matter. We study a “Conformal Freeze-In” cosmological scenario, in which the dark sector is populated through its interactions with the SM at temperatures when it is conformal. In this scenario, the dark matter relic density is determined by the CFT data, such as the dimension of the CFT operator coupled to the Standard Model. We show that this simple and highly predictive model of dark matter is phenomenologically viable. The observed relic density is reproduced for a variety of SM operators (“portals”) coupled to the CFT, and the resulting models are consistent with observational constraints. The mass of the COFI dark matter candidate is predicted to be in the keV-MeV range.

United Kingdom

Gowri Kurup

Dark matter from a conformal Dark Sector

A dark <math><mi>Z</mi></math> is a massive Abelian gauge boson which is coupled to the Standard Model through both kinetic and mass mixing with the electroweak sector. We study the phenomenology of the dark <math><mi>Z</mi></math> at an energy-frontier <math><msup><mi>e</mi><mo>+</mo></msup><msup><mi>e</mi><mo>−</mo></msup></math> collider, such as the proposed International Linear Collider (ILC). We show that precision electroweak constraints and the current bounds from the hadron colliders allow a dark <math><mi>Z</mi></math> that is kinematically accessible at the ILC with 250 or 500 GeV center-of-mass energy. Further, the reach of the ILC searches for a dark <math><mi>Z</mi></math> significantly exceeds the expected reach of the high luminosity LHC. If a signal consistent with a dark-<math><mi>Z</mi></math> is discovered, it would motivate a dedicated run of the ILC at the center-of-mass energy matching the dark-<math><mi>Z</mi></math> mass. We demonstrate that a short one month run at design luminosity could measure the dark-<math><mi>Z</mi></math> chiral couplings to fermions with percent precision. This measurement can be used to discriminate between competing theoretical models of the resonance: for example, the dark <math><mi>Z</mi></math> can be distinguished from a dark photon with purely kinetic mixing.

Yik Chuen San

Philip Tanedo

Dark <math><mi>Z</mi></math> at the International Linear Collider

We examine the possibility that dark matter (DM) consists of a gapped continuum, rather than ordinary particles. A weakly interacting continuum (WIC) model, coupled to the standard model via a <math><mi>Z</mi></math> portal, provides an explicit realization of this idea. The thermal DM relic density in this model is naturally consistent with observations, providing a continuum counterpart of the “WIMP miracle.” Direct detection cross sections are strongly suppressed compared to ordinary <math><mi>Z</mi></math>-portal WIMP, thanks to a unique effect of the continuum kinematics. Continuum DM states decay throughout the history of the Universe, and observations of cosmic microwave background place constraints on potential late decays. Production of WICs at colliders can provide a striking cascade-decay signature. We show that a simple <math><mi>Z</mi></math>-portal WIC model provides a fully viable DM candidate consistent with all current experimental constraints.

Csaba Csáki

Seung J. Lee

Wei Xue

<math><mi>Z</mi></math>-Portal Continuum Dark Matter

We initiate the study of dark matter (DM) models based on a gapped continuum. Dark matter consists of a mixture of states with a continuous mass distribution, which evolves as the universe expands. We present an effective field theory describing the gapped continuum, outline the structure of the Hilbert space and show how to deal with the thermodynamics of such a system. This formalism enables us to study the cosmological evolution and phenomenology of gapped continuum DM in detail. As a concrete example, we consider a weakly interacting continuum (WIC) model, a gapped continuum counterpart of the familiar weakly interacting massive particle. The DM interacts with the Standard Model via a <math><mrow><mi>Z</mi></mrow></math> portal. The model successfully reproduces the observed relic density, while direct detection constraints are avoided due to the effect of continuum kinematics. The model has striking observational consequences, including continuous decays of DM states throughout cosmological history, as well as cascade decays of DM states produced at colliders. We also describe how the WIC theory can arise from a local, unitary scalar quantum field theory propagating on a five-dimensional warped background with a soft wall.