Dark matter origins of neutrino masses

Abstract

We propose a simple scenario that directly connects the dark matter (DM) and neutrino mass scales. Based on an interaction between the DM particle $\chi$ and the neutrino $\nu$ of the form $\chi \chi \nu \nu /{\Lambda }^2$, the DM annihilation cross section into the neutrino is determined and a neutrino mass is radiatively induced. Using the observed neutrino mass scale and the DM relic density, the DM mass and the effective scale $\Lambda$ are found to be of the order MeV and GeV, respectively. We construct an ultraviolet-complete toy model based on the inverse seesaw mechanism which realizes this potential connection between DM and neutrino physics.

Comments: 4 pages, 3 figures. V2: comments on CMB constraints corrected, main conclusions unchanged. V3: clarifications added, version accepted by PRD