Abstract: Using data recorded with the ANTARES telescope from 2007 to 2015, a new search for dark matter annihilation in the Milky Way has been performed. Three halo models and five annihilation channels, WIMP + WIMP -> b (b) over bar, W+W-, tau(+)tau(-), mu(+)mu(-) and v (v) over bar, with WIMP masses ranging from 50 2 GeV/C-2 to 100 Tev/C-2, were considered. No excess over the expected background was found, and limits on the thermally averaged annihilation cross-section were set.

Abstract: We consider a model of sub-GeV dark matter whose interaction with the Standard Model is mediated by a new vector boson (the dark photon) which couples kinetically to the photon. We describe the possibility of constraining such a model using a superfluid He-4 detector, by means of an effective theory for the description of the superfluid phonon. We find that such a detector could provide bounds that are competitive with other direct detection experiments only for ultralight vector mediator, in agreement with previous studies. As a byproduct we also present, for the first time, the low-energy effective field theory for the interaction between photons and phonons.

Abstract: This paper aims to investigate the localization of the five-dimensional spinor field known as Elko (dual-helicity eigenspinors of the charge conjugation operator) by employing a Yukawa-like geometrical coupling in which the Elko field is non-minimally coupled to nonmetricity scalar Q. We adopt the braneworld scenarios in which the first-order formalism with sine-Gordon and linear superpotentials is employed to obtain the warp factors. A linear function supports the zero-mode trapping within the geometric coupling, leading to the same effective potential as the scalar field. Moreover, an exotic term must be added to obtain real-valued massive modes. Such modes are investigated through the Schrodinger-like approach.

Abstract: This work focuses on the examination of a regular black hole within Verlinde's emergent gravity, specifically investigating the Hayward-like (modified) solution. The study reveals the existence of three horizons under certain conditions, i.e. an event horizon and two Cauchy horizons. Our results indicate regions which phase transitions occur based on the analysis of heat capacity and Hawking temperature. To compute the latter quantity, we utilize three distinct methods: the surface gravity approach, Hawking radiation, and the application of the first law of thermodynamics. In the case of the latter approach, it is imperative to introduce a correction to ensure the preservation of the Bekenstein-Hawking area law. Geodesic trajectories and critical orbits (photon spheres) are calculated, highlighting the presence of three light rings. Additionally, we investigate the black hole shadows. Furthermore, the quasinormal modes are explored using third- and sixth-order Wentzel-Kramers-Brillouin approximations. In particular, we observe stable and unstable oscillations for certain frequencies. Finally, in order to comprehend the phenomena of time-dependent scattering in this scenario, we provide an investigation of the time-domain solution.

Abstract: The nonequivalence between the metric and Palatini formalisms of f(R) gravity is an intriguing feature of these theories. However, in the recently proposed hybrid metric-Palatini gravity, consisting of the superposition of the metric Einstein-Hilbert Lagrangian with an f(R) term constructed a la Palatini, the “true” gravitational field is described by the interpolation of these two nonequivalent approaches. The theory predicts the existence of a light long-range scalar field, which passes the local constraints and affects the galactic and cosmological dynamics. Thus, the theory opens new possibilities for a unified approach, in the same theoretical framework, to the problems of dark energy and dark matter, without distinguishing a priori matter and geometric sources, but taking their dynamics into account under the same standard.