Direct Detection Rates Research Articles

Real gauge singlet scalar extension of the Standard Model: A possible candidate for cold dark matter

The simplest extension of Standard Model (SM) is considered in which a real SM gauge singlet scalar with an additional discrete symmetry Z 2 is introduced to SM. This additional scalar can be a viable candidate of cold dark matter (CDM) since the stability of S is achieved by the application of Z 2 symmetry on S. Considering S as a possible candidate of CDM, Boltzmann’s equation is solved to find the freeze-out temperature and relic density of S for Higgs mass 120 GeV in the scalar mass range 5 GeV to 1 TeV. As HHSS coupling δ 2 appearing in Lagrangian depends upon the value of scalar mass m S and Higgs mass m h, the m S − δ 2 parameter space has been constrained by using the Wilkinson microwave anisotropy probe (WMAP) limit on the relic density of DM in the Universe and the results of recent ongoing DM direct search experiments, namely CDMS-II, CoGeNT, DAMA, EDELWEISS-II, XENON-10 and XENON-100. From such analyses, two distinct mass regions are found (a lower and higher mass domain) for such a DM candidate that satisfy both the WMAP limit and the experimental results considered here. The possible differential direct detection rates and annual variation of total detection rates have been estimated for this scalar DM candidate S for two detector materials, namely Ge and Xe. Finally, the γ-ray flux has been calculated from the galactic centre due to annihilation of two 130 GeV scalar DM into two monoenergetic γ-rays.

Supersymmetric Higgs bosons beyond the MSSM: An update with flavor and dark matter constraints

Spurred by the discovery of a boson resonance at the LHC as the result of the search for the Standard Model Higgs, we pursue our investigation of the properties and signatures of Higgses in an effective supersymmetric scenario that goes beyond the usual MSSM. Such scenarios were first introduced to alleviate the naturalness problem of the MSSM Higgs and are found to have a very rich phenomenology that allows departures from the Standard Model in the production rate of the Higgs in many of the search channels. We now include the constraints from flavour observables in particular the rare decays b-> s gamma and Bs -> mu+ mu- including the recent measurement from LHCb. We also address the issue of Dark Matter and its impact on Higgs physics. In particular, we incorporate the latest data from XENON100 on the spin independent direct detection rates. These turn out to be powerful constraints, especially if one also imposes that the observed thermal relic density is obtained. We also study models with a low abundance that can more easily evade the direct detection rates. We study the impact of the flavour and Dark Matter observables on the production rates of the Higgs at the LHC, and their correlations in the diphoton, diphoton+jets and 4 leptons. We also comment on the other channels.

Predictions of a natural SUSY dark matter model for direct and indirect detection experiments

The most natural region of cosmologically compatible dark matter relic density in terms of low fine-tuning in a minimal supersymmetric standard model with nonuniversal gaugino masses is the so called bulk annihilation region. We study this region in a simple and predictive SUSY-GUT model of nonuniversal gaugino masses, where the latter transform as a combination of singlet plus a nonsinglet representation of the GUT group SU(5). The model prediction for the direct dark matter detection rates is well below the present CDMS and XENON100 limits, but within the reach of a future 1Ton XENON experiment. The most interesting and robust model prediction is an indirect detection signal of hard positron events, which resembles closely the shape of the observed positron spectrum from the PAMELA experiment.

Light dark matter and Z′ dark force at colliders

Light Dark Matter, $<10$ GeV, with sizable direct detection rate is an interesting and less explored scenario. Collider searches can be very powerful, such as through the channel in which a pair of dark matter particle are produced in association with a jet. It is a generic possibility that the mediator of the interaction between DM and the nucleus will also be accessible at the Tevatron and the LHC. Therefore, collider search of the mediator can provide a more comprehensive probe of the dark matter and its interactions. In this article, to demonstrate the complementarity of these two approaches, we focus on the possibility of the mediator being a new $U(1)'$ gauge boson, which is probably the simplest model which allows a large direct detection cross section for a light dark matter candidate. We combine searches in the monojet+MET channel and dijet resonance search for the mediator. We find that for the mass of $Z'$ between 250 GeV and 4 TeV, resonance searches at the colliders provide stronger constraints on this model than the monojet+MET searches.

Earthly probes of the smallest dark matter halos

Dark matter kinetic decoupling involves elastic scattering of dark matter off of leptons and quarks in the early universe, the same process relevant for direct detection and for the capture rate of dark matter in celestial bodies; the resulting size of the smallest dark matter collapsed structures should thus correlate with quantities connected with direct detection rates and with the flux of high-energy neutrinos from dark matter annihilation in the Sun or in the Earth. In this paper we address this general question in the context of two widely studied and paradigmatic weakly-interacting particle dark matter models: the lightest neutralino of the minimal supersymmetric extension of the Standard Model, and the lightest Kaluza-Klein particle of Universal Extra Dimensions (UED). We argue and show that while the scalar neutralino-nucleon cross section correlates poorly with the kinetic decoupling temperature, the spin-dependent cross section exhibits a strong correlation in a wide range of models. In UED models the correlation is present for both cross sections, and is extraordinarily tight for the spin-dependent case. A strong correlation is also found, for both models, for the flux of neutrinos from the Sun, especially for fluxes large enough to be at potentially detectable levels. We provide analytic guidance and formulae that illustrate our findings.

Debris flows in direct dark matter searches: The modulation effect

The effect of some possible non standard WIMP velocity distributions, like the Debris Flows recently proposed, on the direct dark matter detection rates is investigated. We find that such distributions may be deciphered from the data, especially if the time variation of the event rates due to the annual motion of the Earth is observed

Natural supersymmetry: LHC, dark matter and ILC searches

Particle physics models with Natural Supersymmetry are characterized by a superpotential parameter μ ∼ m h ∼ 125 GeV, while third generation squarks have mass $ _\sim^< $ 0.5–1.5 TeV. Gluinos should be lighter than several TeV so as not to destabilize the lighter squarks. First and second generation sfermions can be at the tens-of-TeV level which yields a decoupling solution to the SUSY flavor and CP problems. Adopting a top- down approach, we delineate the range of GUT scale SUSY model parameters which leads to a Natural SUSY mass spectrum. We find natural SUSY models to be tightly constrained by the b → sγ branching fraction measurement while it is also difficult but not impossible to accommodate a light Higgs scalar of mass ≃ 125 GeV. We present several benchmark points which are expandable to slopes and planes. Natural SUSY is difficult to see at LHC unless some third generation squarks are very light. The top- and bottom- squarks cascade decay mainly to higgsino-like charginos and neutralinos via numerous possibilities, leading to a rather complex set of signatures. Meanwhile, a linear e + e − collider operating at $ \sqrt {s} $ ∼ 0.25–0.5 TeV would be a higgsino factory and is essentially guaranteed a SUSY discovery of the low-lying charged and neutral higgsino states. Since thermal neutralino cold dark matter is underproduced, we conjecture that the incorporation of a Peccei-Quinn sector or light moduli into the theory will augment higgsino dark matter production, possibly together with an admixture of axions. We present rates for direct and indirect higgsino dark matter detection for the case where light higgsinos dominate the dark matter abundance.

Neutralino dark matter in mSUGRA/CMSSM with a 125 GeV light Higgs scalar

The minimal supergravity (mSUGRA or CMSSM) model is an oft-used frame- work for exhibiting the properties of neutralino (WIMP) cold dark matter (CDM). How- ever, the recent evidence from Atlas and CMS on a light Higgs scalar with mass $ {m_h} \simeq 125 $ GeV highly constrains the superparticle mass spectrum, which in turn constrains the neutralino annihilation mechanisms in the early universe. We find that stau and stop co-annihilation mechanisms — already highly stressed by the latest Atlas/CMS re- sults on SUSY searches — are nearly eliminated if indeed the light Higgs scalar has mass $ {m_h} \simeq 125 $ GeV. Furthermore, neutralino annihilation via the A-resonance is nearly ruled out in mSUGRA so that it is exceedingly difficult to generate thermally-produced neutralino-only dark matter at the measured abundance. The remaining possibility lies in the focus-point region which now moves out to $ {m_0} \sim 10 - 20 $ TeV range due to the required large trilinear soft SUSY breaking term A0. The remaining HB/FP region is more fine-tuned than before owing to the typically large top squark masses. We present updated direct and indirect detection rates for neutralino dark matter, and show that ton scale noble liquid detectors will either discover mixed higgsino CDM or essentially rule out thermally-produced neutralino-only CDM in the mSUGRA model.

Assisted freeze-out

We explore a class of dark matter models with two dark mattercandidates, only one interacts with the standard model sector. Oneof the dark matter is thermalized with the assistance of the otherstable particle. While both stable particles contribute to thetotal relic density only one can elastically scatter with nuclei,thus effectively reducing the direct detection rate.

Dark matter as the trigger of strong electroweak phase transition

In this paper, we propose a new possible connection between dark matter relic density and baryon asymmetry of the universe. The portal between standard model sector and dark matter not only controls the relic density and detections of dark matter, but also allows the dark matter to trigger the first order electroweak phase transition. We discuss systematically possible scalar dark matter candidates, starting from a real singlet to arbitrary high representations. We show that the simplest realization is provided by a doublet, and that strong first-order electroweak phase transition implies a lower bound on the dark matter direct detection rate. The mass of dark matter lies between 45 and 80 GeV, allowing for an appreciable invisible decay width of the Standard Model Higgs boson, which is constrained to be lighter than 130 GeV for the sake of the strong phase transition.

Implications of LHC searches for Higgs-portal dark matter

The search for the a Standard Model Higgs boson at the LHC is reaching a critical stage as the possible mass range for the particle has become extremely narrow and some signal at a mass of about 125 GeV is starting to emerge. We study the implications of these LHC Higgs searches for Higgs-portal models of dark matter in a rather model independent way. Their impact on the cosmological relic density and on the direct detection rates are studied in the context of generic scalar, vector and fermionic thermal dark matter particles. Assuming a sufficiently small invisible Higgs decay branching ratio, we find that current data, in particular from the XENON experiment, essentially exclude fermionic dark matter as well as light, i.e. with masses below ≈60 GeV, scalar and vector dark matter particles. Possible observation of these particles at the planned upgrade of the XENON experiment as well in collider searches is discussed.

Scale Invariant Extension of the Standard Model with a Strongly Interacting Hidden Sector

We present a scale invariant extension of the standard model with a new QCD-like strong interaction in the hidden sector. A scale Λ(H) is dynamically generated in the hidden sector by dimensional transmutation, and chiral symmetry breaking occurs in the hidden sector. This scale is transmitted to the SM sector by a real singlet scalar messenger S and can trigger electroweak symmetry breaking. Thus all the mass scales in this model arise from the hidden sector scale Λ(H), which has quantum mechanical origin. Furthermore, the lightest hadrons in the hidden sector are stable by the flavor conservation of the hidden sector strong interaction, and could be the cold dark matter (CDM). We study collider phenomenology, relic density, and direct detection rates of the CDM of this model.

Dark matter at the end of the Galaxy

Dark matter density profiles based upon $\ensuremath{\Lambda}\mathrm{CDM}$ cosmology motivate an ansatz velocity distribution function with fewer high-velocity particles than the Maxwell-Boltzmann distribution or proposed variants. The high-velocity tail of the distribution is determined by the outer slope of the dark matter halo---the large radius behavior of the Galactic dark matter density. $N$-body simulations of Galactic halos reproduce the high-velocity behavior of this ansatz. Predictions for direct detection rates are dramatically affected for models where the threshold scattering velocity is within 30% of the escape velocity.

Electroweak symmetry breaking and cold dark matter from strongly interacting hidden sector

We consider a hidden sector with a vectorlike confining gauge theory like QCD with Nh,c colors and Nh,f light quarks Qh in the hidden sector. Then a scale ΛH would be generated by dimensional transmutation, and chiral symmetry breaking occurs in the hidden sector. This scale ΛH can play a role of the SM Higgs mass parameter, triggering electroweak symmetry breaking (EWSB). Furthermore the lightest mesons in the hidden sector is stable by flavor conservation of the hidden sector strong interaction, and could be a good cold dark matter (CDM). We study collider phenomenology, and relic density and direct detection rates of the CDM of this model.

The Tevatron at the frontier of dark matter direct detection

Direct detection of dark matter (DM) requires an interaction of dark matter particles with nucleons. The same interaction can lead to dark matter pair production at a hadron collider, and with the addition of initial state radiation this may lead to mono-jet signals. Mono-jet searches at the Tevatron can thus place limits on DM direct detection rates. We study these bounds both in the case where there is a contact interaction between DM and the standard model and where there is a mediator kinematically accessible at the Tevatron. We find that in many cases the Tevatron provides the current best limit, particularly for light dark matter, below ∼5 GeV, a and for spin dependent interactions. Non-standard dark matter candidates are also constrained. The introduction of a light mediator significantly weakens the collider bound. A direct detection discovery that is in apparent conflict with mono-jet limits will thus point to a new light state coupling the standard model to the dark sector. Mono-jet searches with more luminosity and including the spectrum shape in the analysis can improve the constraints on DM-nucleon scattering cross section.

Constraining scalar singlet dark matter with CDMS, XENON and DAMA and prediction for direct detection rates

We consider a simplest extension of the Standard Model (SM) through the incorporation of a real scalar singlet and an additional discrete $Z_2$ symmetry. The model admits the neutral scalar singlet to be stable and thus, a viable component of dark matter. We explore the parameter space of the model keeping in view the constraints arise from different dark matter direct detection experiments through WIMP-nucleon scattering. First of all, we have utilised the data obtained from CDMS, XENON-10 and XENON-100 collaborations. We further constraint the parameter space from the DAMA collaboration results (both with and without channelling) and CoGeNT collaboration results. Throughout our analysis, the constraint arises due to the observed relic density of dark matter reported by WMAP experiment, is also incorporated. Utilising all those constraints, on the model parameter space, we calculate the event rates and the annual variation of event rates in the context of a Liquid Argon Detector experiment.

Exothermic dark matter

We propose a novel mechanism for dark matter to explain the observed annual modulation signal at DAMA/LIBRA which avoids existing constraints from every other dark matter direct detection experiment including CRESST, CDMS, and XENON10. The dark matter consists of at least two light states with mass ~few GeV and splittings ~5 keV. It is natural for the heavier states to be cosmologically long-lived and to make up an O(1) fraction of the dark matter. Direct detection rates are dominated by the exothermic reactions in which an excited dark matter state down-scatters off of a nucleus, becoming a lower energy state. In contrast to (endothermic) inelastic dark matter, the most sensitive experiments for exothermic dark matter are those with light nuclei and low threshold energies. Interestingly, this model can also naturally account for the observed low-energy events at CoGeNT. The only significant constraint on the model arises from the DAMA/LIBRA unmodulated spectrum but it can be tested in the near future by a low-threshold analysis of CDMS-Si and possibly other experiments including CRESST, COUPP, and XENON100.

Light scalar WIMP through the Higgs portal and CoGeNT

If dark matter (DM) simply consists in a scalar particle interacting dominantly with the Higgs boson, the ratio of its annihilation cross section ---which is relevant both for the relic abundance and indirect detection--- and its spin-independent scattering cross section on nuclei depends only on the DM mass. It is an intriguing result that, fixing the mass and direct detection rate to fit the annual modulation observed by the DAMA experiment, one obtains a relic density in perfect agreement with its observed value. In this short letter we update this result and confront the model to the recent CoGeNT data, tentatively interpreting the excess of events in the recoil energy spectrum as being due to DM. CoGeNT, as DAMA, points toward a light DM candidate, with somewhat different (but not necessarily incompatible) masses and cross sections. For the CoGeNT region too, we find an intriguing agreement between the scalar DM relic density and direct detection constraints. We give the one $\sigma$ region favoured by the CDMS-II events, and our exclusion limits for the Xenon10 (2009) and Xenon100 data, which, depending on the scintillation efficiency, may exclude CoGeNT and DAMA. Assuming CoGeNT and/or DAMA to be due to scalar singlet DM leads to definite predictions regarding indirect detection and at colliders. We specifically emphasize the limit on the model that might be set by the current {\it Fermi}-LAT data on dwarf galaxies, and the implications for the search for the Higgs at the LHC.

Energy dependence of direct detection cross section for asymmetric mirror dark matter

In a recent paper, four of the present authors proposed a class of dark matter models where generalized parity symmetry leads to equality of dark matter abundance with baryon asymmetry of the Universe and predicts dark matter mass to be around 5 GeV. In this note we explore how this model can be tested in direct search experiments. In particular, we point out that if the dark matter happens to be the mirror neutron, the direct detection cross section has the unique feature that it increases at low recoil energy unlike the case of conventional WIMPs. It is also interesting to note that the predicted spin-dependent scattering could make significant contribution to the total direct detection rate, especially for light nucleus. With this scenario, one could explain recent DAMA and CoGeNT results.

Neutralino, axion and axino cold dark matter in minimal, hypercharged and gaugino AMSB

Supersymmetric models based on anomaly-mediated SUSY breaking (AMSB) generally give rise to a neutral wino as a WIMP cold dark matter (CDM) candidate, whose thermal abundance is well below measured values. Here, we investigate four scenarios to reconcile AMSB dark matter with the measured abundance: 1. non-thermal wino production due to decays of scalar fields (e.g. moduli), 2. non-thermal wino production due to decays of gravitinos, 3. non-thermal wino production due to heavy axino decays, and 4. the case of an axino LSP, where the bulk of CDM is made up of axions and thermally produced axinos. In cases 1 and 2, we expect wino CDM to constitute the entire measured DM abundance, and we investigate wino-like WIMP direct and indirect detection rates. Wino direct detection rates can be large, and more importantly, are bounded from below, so that ton-scale noble liquid detectors should access all of parameter space for mZ̄1≲500 GeV. Indirect wino detection rates via neutrino telescopes and space-based cosmic ray detectors can also be large. In case 3, the DM would consist of an axion plus wino admixture, whose exact proportions are very model dependent. In this case, it is possible that both an axion and a wino-like WIMP could be detected experimentally. In case 4., we calculate the re-heat temperature of the universe after inflation. In this case, no direct or indirect WIMP signals should be seen, although direct detection of relic axions may be possible. For each DM scenario, we show results for the minimal AMSB model, as well as for the hypercharged and gaugino AMSB models.