Resonant Vector Dark Matter Production during Inflation

Abstract: We present a new mechanism for generating the observed dark matter energy density, through resonant production of vector dark matter during inflation. Resonant amplification of the vector dark matter is achieved through Mathieu instabilities induced by an oscillatory coupling with the inflaton, which can occur as early as 11.9 e-folds before the end of inflation. Successful dark matter production is possible for a wide range of inflationary Hubble rates and vector mass scales. This scenario generates both helicity states of the vector dark matter density in contrast to other tachyonic production mechanisms, while exhibiting large parameter regions with negligible energy density generated in the longitudinal mode. The discovery of this dark matter candidate will not only explain the nature of dark matter but provide insight into the inflationary potential and the scale of inflation. The allowed parameter space is surveyed and the unique phenomenological implications are discussed, which include gravitational waves and the dark matter energy density spectrum.