Exploring Dark Matter and Flavor Physics Through Standard Model Extensions

In their April 28, 2025, article titled Up-type FCNC in presence of Dark Matter, Subhaditya Bhattacharya and colleagues propose a minimal extension to the Standard Model that links flavor-changing neutral currents with dark matter using a singlet scalar and a heavy vector-like quark.

The research connects dark matter (DM) with flavor-changing neutral current (FCNC) processes via a minimal Standard Model extension. A singlet complex scalar field serves as DM, coupled to up-type quarks through a heavy vector-like quark (VLQ). This model explains observed FCNC interactions, meson decays, and DM relic density while evading experimental bounds. Future high-energy muon colliders could probe VLQ production, with decays into DM and SM particles, offering a pathway for testing the framework.

Dark energy remains one of the most perplexing phenomena in cosmology, driving the universe’s accelerated expansion. Discovered in the late 1990s through observations of supernovae, its nature continues to evade precise characterization. Recent advancements in particle physics tools are providing new insights into this mystery, potentially reshaping our understanding of the cosmos.

Recent studies have leveraged sophisticated particle physics software to explore the universe’s composition. Tools such as micrOMEGAs 6.0 play a pivotal role in modeling dark matter interactions, which are critical for understanding its relationship with dark energy. This software enables researchers to simulate complex processes, serving as a bridge between theoretical models and observational data.

Other key tools include MadGraph5 and PYTHIA8, which simulate particle interactions. These platforms provide detailed insights into phenomena such as rare B decays and SMEFT (Standard Model Effective Field Theory) operators. By probing these processes, particularly through tc production, researchers can uncover new physics beyond the Standard Model, which may hold clues about dark energy.

Recent research has revealed significant constraints on rare B decays, suggesting new interactions that could influence our understanding of cosmic phenomena. The exploration of SMEFT operators through tc production at future lepton colliders is particularly promising. These findings hint at a deeper connection between particle physics and cosmology, potentially offering a pathway to understand dark energy’s role in the universe.

The integration of advanced particle physics tools with cosmological studies represents a significant leap forward in understanding dark energy. By enhancing our ability to model dark matter interactions and explore beyond the Standard Model physics, these innovations are paving the way for new insights into the universe’s expansion.

As we continue to refine our tools and models, the interplay between particle physics and cosmology will likely yield groundbreaking discoveries. These advancements not only deepen our understanding of dark energy but also underscore the interconnectedness of all cosmic phenomena, from the smallest particles to the vast expanse of the universe.