Baryon Asymmetry, Dark Matter and Local Baryon Number

Abstract

We propose a new mechanism to understand the relation between the baryon and dark matter asymmetries in the universe in theories where the baryon number is a local symmetry. In these scenarios the B-L asymmetry generated through a mechanism such as leptogenesis is transferred to the dark matter and baryonic sectors through sphalerons processes which conserve total baryon number. We show that it is possible to have a consistent relation between the dark matter relic density and the baryon asymmetry in the universe even if the baryon number is broken at the low scale through the Higgs mechanism. We also discuss the case where one uses the Stueckelberg mechanism to understand the conservation of baryon number in nature.

Comments: to appear in Physics Letters B