On the direct detection of multi component dark matter

Andre Scaffidi,C Doglioni,W Kamleh,D Kim,L Silvestris,G.A Stewart,P Jackson

doi:10.1051/epjconf/202024506036

Abstract

We study the case of multi-component dark matter, in particular how direct detection signals are modified in the presence of several stable weaklyinteracting-massive particles. Assuming a positive signal in a future direct detection experiment, stemming from two dark matter components, we study the region in parameter space where it is possible to distinguish a one from a two-component dark matter spectrum. We leave as free parameters the two dark matter masses and show that the two hypotheses can be significantly discriminated for a range of dark matter masses with their splitting being the critical factor. For full details see the first of a series of two publications [1].

Highlights

We know from gravitational effects that dark matter (DM) constitutes a significant fraction of the energy density in the universe, but no confirmed detection in the laboratory has been made so far
In this work we study direct detection signals in the presence of multicomponent WIMP-like DM, i.e., several types of WIMPs with individual global energy density Ωα such that they constitute the observed total DM energy density of the Universe, ΩDM =
We present in the following the general notation for multi-component DM in detectors with different types of nuclei

Summary

Introduction

We know from gravitational effects that dark matter (DM) constitutes a significant fraction of the energy density in the universe, but no confirmed detection in the laboratory has been made so far. Some of the most popular candidates are Weakly-Interacting-Massive-Particles (WIMPs), in particular those that have non-vanishing interactions with the standard model (SM) and can be tested They are actively being searched for in direct detection (DD) experiments, which look for their nuclear scatterings in underground detectors [2]. As pointed out in this last reference, indirect detection of one DM particle could mimic the effects of two components, as it may annihilate/decay to two gamma rays and to Higgs/Z plus a photon. In this work we will focus on how multi-component DM can be studied using only information stemming from direct detection signals

The differential event rate

The rate for two DM particles

Test statistic for hypothesis testing

Median sensitivity

Fixed parameters except for the DM masses