Self-interacting dark matter and the GRB221009A event

In this work, we explore the intriguing possibility of connecting self-interacting dark matter (SIDM) with the recently observed exceptionally bright and long-duration gamma-ray burst (GRB221009A). The proposed minimal scenario involves a light scalar mediator, simultaneously enabling dark matter (DM) self-interaction and explaining the observed very high energy photons from GRB221009A reported by Large High Altitude Air Shower Observatory (LHAASO) data. The scalar's mixing with the Standard Model Higgs boson allows for its production at the GRB site, which will then propagate escaping attenuation by the extragalactic background light. These scalars, if highly boosted, have the potential to explain LHAASO's data. Moreover, the same mixing also facilitates DM-nucleon or DM-electron scatterings at terrestrial detectors, linking SIDM phenomenology to the GRB221009A events. This manuscript presents the parameter space meeting all constraints and offers an exciting opportunity to explore SIDM in future direct search experiments using insights from the GRB observation.

Automated summary

In this work, the researchers explore the possibility of connecting self-interacting dark matter with the recently observed gamma-ray burst. A proposed scenario involves a light scalar mediator that enables dark matter self-interaction and explains the observed high energy photons. The mixing of this scalar with the Standard Model Higgs boson allows for its production at the gamma-ray burst site and facilitates scatterings at terrestrial detectors.