New Mechanisms for Dark Matter Production in the Early Universe
Lukas Mittnacht (JGU Mainz)

The Vev-Flipflop is a novel model framework, which introduces a new scalar coupled to the SM via a Higgs portal. During its thermal evolution the universe undergoes different phase transitions. In one of the phases, the new scalar has a vacuum expectation value. This vev can be used to bring the DM and the SM in contact only during intermediate times and have a significant impact on the DM relic density.

This presentation serves as my Master's Colloquium, I will present a brief introduction to the Vev-Flipflop and then discuss three different models that make use of its features.