Future Dark Matter Research Articles

Dark matter, CEνNS and neutrino new physics scrutinized by a statistical method in Xenon-based experiments

Dark matter direct detection experiments are approaching the neutrino floor, with a significant probability of measuring coherent elastic neutrino-nucleus scattering (CEνNS) and exploring potential neutrino-related new physics (νNP). In the present study, the simultaneous presence of dark matter and νNP is emphatically investigated, revealing a response similar to Standard Model neutrino backgrounds in Xenon-based dark matter experiments. Through analyses of three U(1) extension models, it is determined that dark matter signals can be differentiated from an excess or a depletion of neutrino contributions from νNP by applying a statistically defined distinction method to nuclear and electronic recoil spectra. Additionally, an investigation is conducted into how νNP affects the exclusion limits for spin-independent dark matter-nucleon interactions. The present findings could facilitate the identification of new physics in future dark matter experiments.

Investigating higgsino dark matter in the semi-constrained NMSSM* *Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (12275066, 11605123)

In this study, we explored the characteristics of higgsino-dominated dark matter (DM) within the semi-constrained Next-to-Minimal Supersymmetric Standard Model (scNMSSM), covering a mass range from hundreds of GeV to several TeV. We carefully analyzed the parameter space under existing theoretical and experimental constraints to confirm the viability of higgsino-dominated lightest supersymmetric particles (LSPs) with masses between 100 GeV and 4 TeV. Our study examined various DM annihilation mechanisms, emphasizing the significant role of coannihilation with the next-to-lightest supersymmetric particle (NLSP), which includes other higgsino-dominated particles such as and . We categorize the annihilation processes into three main classes: coannihilation, Higgs funnel annihilation, and coannihilation. Each class combines interactions with . Our results indicate that achieving the correct relic density in heavier higgsino LSPs requires a combination of coannihilation and Higgs funnel mechanisms. We also assessed the potential of future experiments, such as XENONnT, LUX-ZEPLIN (LZ), PandaX-xT, and the Cherenkov Telescope Array (CTA), to probe these DM scenarios through direct and indirect detections. In particular, future spin-independent DM detections may cover all samples with the correct DM relic density for GeV. Furthermore, future colliders such as the International Linear Collider (ILC) and Compact Linear Collider (CLIC) are expected to exceed the detection capabilities of current hadron colliders, especially for higher mass NLSPs. Notably, CLIC, which will operate at 3000 GeV, is anticipated to enable thorough investigation of all samples with insufficient DM relic density for GeV.

Analysis of the S1 triplet component in the DarkSide-50 experiment

The DarkSide-50 (DS-50) experiment aims at the direct detection of weakly interacting massive particles. It is a dual-phase liquid argon time projection chamber (LAr TPC) where Dark Matter (DM), which constitutes five sixths of all matter in the universe, is expected to interact with an argon nucleus resulting in a nuclear recoil. A scintillation signal (S1) is produced as a result of the ionising events from the DM-Ar interaction. The impurities in LAr, such as O,2, N2, H2O, etc., at the ppm level, quench the scintillation photons, leading to a reduction in the observed lifetime of the triplet state. In this contribution, the effect of impurities on the triplet lifetime is analyzed for individual events using DS-50 data, with a primary focus on nitrogen, one of the candidates for the impurities in LAr hypothesized to cause a suppression of triplet lifetime. This is done by determining the lifetime of the triplet component with a known purity, which can be used as a reference for the purity level of argon used in current and future dark matter searches.

Muon-induced background in a next-generation dark matter experiment based on liquid xenon

Muon-induced neutrons can lead to potentially irreducible backgrounds in rare event search experiments. We have investigated the implication of laboratory depth on the muon-induced background in a future dark matter experiment capable of reaching the so-called neutrino floor. Our simulation study focused on a xenon-based detector with 70 tonnes of active mass, surrounded by additional veto systems plus a water shield. Two locations at the Boulby Underground Laboratory (UK) were analysed as examples: an experimental cavern in salt at a depth of 2850 m w. e. (similar to the location of the existing laboratory), and a deeper laboratory located in polyhalite rock at a depth of 3575 m w. e. Our results show that no cosmogenic background events are likely to survive standard analysis cuts for 10 years of operation at either location. The largest background component we identified comes from beta-delayed neutron emission from 17\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$^{17}$$\\end{document}N which is produced from 19\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$^{19}$$\\end{document}F in the fluoropolymer components of the experiment. Our results confirm that a dark matter search with sensitivity to the neutrino floor is viable (from the point of view of cosmogenic backgrounds) in underground laboratories at these levels of rock overburden. This work was conducted in 2019–21 in the context of a feasibility study to investigate the possibility of developing the Boulby Underground Laboratory to host a next-generation dark matter experiment; however, our findings are also relevant for other underground laboratories.

Revisiting a Realistic Intersecting D6-Brane with Modified Soft SUSY Terms

Because there are a few typos in the supersymmetry-breaking sfermion masses and trilinear soft term, regarding the current Large Hadron Collider (LHC) and dark matter searches, we revisit a three-family Pati–Salam model based on intersecting D6-branes in Type IIA string theory on a T6/(Z2×Z2) orientifold with a realistic phenomenology. We study the viable parameter space and discuss the spectrum consistent with the current LHC Supersymmetry searches and the dark matter relic density bounds from the Planck 2018 data. For the gluinos and first two generations of sfermions, we observe that the gluino mass is in the range [2, 14] TeV, the squarks mass range is [2, 13] TeV and the sleptons mass is in the range [1, 5] TeV. We achieve the cold dark matter relic density consistent with 5σ Planck 2018 bounds via A-funnel and coannihilation channels such as stop–neutralino, stau–neutralino, and chargino–neutralino. Except for a few chargino–neutralino coannihilation solutions, these solutions satisfy current nucleon-neutralino spin-independent and spin-dependent scattering cross-sections and may be probed by future dark matter searches.

The viability of low-mass subhaloes as targets for gamma-ray dark matter searches

ABSTRACT In this work, we investigate the discovery potential of low-mass Galactic dark matter (DM) subhaloes for indirect searches of DM. We use data from the Via Lactea II (VL-II) N-body cosmological simulation, which resolves subhaloes down to $\mathcal {O}(10^4)$ solar masses and it is thus ideal for this purpose. First, we characterize the abundance, distribution and structural properties of the VL-II subhalo population in terms of both subhalo masses and maximum circular velocities. Then, we repopulate the original simulation with millions of subhaloes of masses down to about five orders of magnitude below the minimum VL-II subhalo mass (more than one order of magnitude in velocities). We compute subhalo DM annihilation astrophysical ‘J-factors’ and angular sizes for the entire subhalo population, by placing the Earth at a random position but at the right Galactocentric distance in the simulation. Thousands of these realizations are generated in order to obtain statistically meaningful results. We find that some nearby low-mass Galactic subhaloes, not massive enough to retain stars or gas, may indeed yield DM annihilation fluxes comparable to those expected from other, more massive and acknowledgeable DM targets like dwarf satellite galaxies. Typical angular sizes are of the order of the degree, thus subhaloes potentially appearing as extended sources in gamma-ray telescopes, depending on instrument angular resolution and sensitivity. Our work shows that low-mass Galactic subhaloes with no visible counterparts are expected to play a relevant role in current and future indirect DM search searches and should indeed be considered as excellent DM targets.

Challenges for dark matter direct search with SiPMs

Liquid xenon and liquid argon detectors are leading the direct dark matter search and are expected to be the candidate technology for the forthcoming generation of ultra-sensitive large-mass detectors. At present, scintillation light detection in those experiments is based on ultra-pure low-noise photo-multipliers. To overcome the issues in terms of the extreme radio-purity, costs, and technological feasibility of the future dark matter experiments, the novel silicon photomultiplier (SiPM)-based photodetector modules seem to be promising candidates, capable of replacing the present light detection technology. However, the intrinsic features of SiPMs may limit the present expectations. In particular, interfering phenomena, especially related to the optical correlated noise, can degrade the energy and pulse shape resolutions. As a consequence, the projected sensitivity of the future detectors has to be reconsidered accordingly.

Analysis of the Latest Research Progress on Dark matter in the Universe

Dark matter research has become the most challenging fundamental research topic in the current physics field. The existence of dark matter has been confirmed, and its characteristics are far beyond that of traditional particle physics. However, its mass, rotation, and interactions with other particles are still not fully revealed. Over the past few decades, theoretical and experimental studies on dark matter have made great strides. We have gained more insights and made significant progress on dark matter from previous studies, from various dark matter models to direct or indirect detections. In this paper, we will investigate the latest development of dark matter experimental research in the past few years, including detection methodology, current status, and some important experimental results, aiming to provide valuable references for future dark matter research.

Testing neutrino electromagnetic properties at current and future dark matter experiments

Testing neutrino electromagnetic properties at current and future dark matter experiments

The Proposed Analytical Model and Detection Scenarios for Axion and Wimps

Contemporarily, the detection of dark matter is still an unsolved issue for modern physics. Among all the candidates of the dark matter models, the axion and Weakly interacting massive particles (WIMPs) are the most two appealing cases for realizing detection. On this basis, this paper investigates the analytical model construction of the axion and WIMPs based on the concepts of standard model. Subsequently, the detection mechanisms as well as the state-of-art facilities are demonstrated, respectively. Eventually, guideline for future detection and improvement scheme are proposed in order to find the dark matter mass region. Overall, these results shed light on future dark matter detection and model construction.

Hidden SU(2)D vector dark matter with a scalar septuplet

We propose a vector dark matter model from a hidden $\mathrm{SU}(2{)}_{\mathrm{D}}$ gauge symmetry at TeV scale. A scalar septuplet is introduced to break the $\mathrm{SU}(2{)}_{\mathrm{D}}$ symmetry spontaneously. The septuplet also plays the role of a portal between the standard model and the dark sector. We find that there are two different vacuum configurations corresponding to the sign of the quartic coupling ${\ensuremath{\lambda}}_{3}$, which yield different mass spectra for the gauge bosons. For a ${\ensuremath{\lambda}}_{3}<0$, the masses of gauge bosons are splitting, while for a ${\ensuremath{\lambda}}_{3}\ensuremath{\ge}0$, the masses are degenerate. We also study the RG evolutions of the couplings, and find that the perturbativity and vacuum stability can set a stringent bound on the parameter space. For the phenomenological aspect, we consider the experimental constraints including dark matter direct detection, indirect detection, relic density, and Higgs couplings measurements. We find that there are parameter space survivors from all the constraints, and they can be tested in future dark matter direct and indirect detection experiments.

Explaining the W boson mass anomaly and dark matter with a U(1) dark sector* *WZF is supported in part by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (11905158, 11935009) and the Natural Science Foundation of Tianjin City (20JCQNJC02030).

The W boson mass recently reported by the CDF collaboration shows a deviation from the standard model prediction with an excess at the level. We investigate two simple extensions of the standard model with an extra dark sector. One is the extension, where the gauge field mixes with the standard model through gauge kinetic terms. The other is a general extension of the standard model. Fitting various experimental constraints, we find that the extension with only kinetic mixing can enhance the W boson mass by 10 MeV at most. Theextension can easily generate a 77 MeV enhancement of the W boson mass and also offer a viable dark matter candidate with a mass ranging from several hundred GeV to TeV, which may be detected by future dark matter direct detection experiments with improved sensitivities.

Capture of electroweak multiplet dark matter in neutron stars

If dark matter has a sizable scattering cross section with nucleons, it can efficiently be captured by a neutron star. Its energy is then transferred to the neutron star as heat through the scattering and annihilation inside the star. This heating effect may be detectable via dedicated temperature observations of nearby old pulsars, providing an alternative method for dark matter searches. In this paper, we show that for electroweak multiplet dark matter this search strategy can probe the parameter region which is out of reach of future dark matter direct detection experiments. To see this systematically, we classify such dark matter candidates in terms of their electroweak charges and investigate the effect of ultraviolet physics by means of higher-dimensional effective operators. We then show that if the effect of ultraviolet physics is sizable, the dark matter-nucleon elastic scattering cross section becomes sufficiently large, whilst if it is suppressed, then the mass splittings among the components of the DM multiplet get small enough so that the inelastic scattering processes are operative. In any case, the electroweak multiplet dark matter particles are efficiently captured in neutron stars, making the search strategy with the temperature observation of old neutron stars promising.

Fermion and scalar two-component dark matter from a Z4 symmetry

We revisit a two-component dark matter model in which the dark matter particles are a singlet fermion ($\psi$) and a singlet scalar ($S$), both stabilized by a single $Z_4$ symmetry. The model, which was proposed by Y. Cai and A. Spray, is remarkably simple, with its phenomenology determined by just five parameters: the two dark matter masses and three dimensionless couplings. In fact, $S$ interacts with the Standard Model particles via the usual Higgs-portal, whereas $\psi$ only interacts directly with $S$, via the Yukawa terms $\overline{\psi^c}(y_s+y_p\gamma^5)\psi\,S$. We consider the two possible mass hierarchies among the dark matter particles, $M_S<M_\psi$ and $M_\psi<M_S$, and numerically investigate the consistency of the model with current bounds. The main novelties of our analysis are the inclusion of the $y_p$ coupling, the update of the direct detection limits, and a more detailed characterization of the viable parameter space. For dark matter masses below $1.3$ TeV or so, we find that the model not only is compatible with all known constraints, but that it also gives rise to observable signals in future dark matter experiments. Our results show that both dark matter particles may be observed in direct detection experiments and that the most relevant indirect detection channel is due to the annihilation of $\psi$. We also argue that this setup can be extended to other $Z_N$ symmetries and additional dark matter particles.

(g-2)_mu and SUSY dark matter: direct detection and collider search complementarity

The electroweak (EW) sector of the Minimal Supersymmetric Standard Model (MSSM) can account for a variety of experimental data. The EW particles with masses of a few hundred GeV evade the LHC searches owing to their small production cross sections. Such a light EW sector can in particular explain the reinforced 4.2,sigma discrepancy between the experimental result for the anomalous magnetic moment of the muon, (g-2)_mu , and its Standard Model (SM) prediction. The lightest supersymmetric particle (LSP), assumed to be the lightest neutralino, {tilde{chi }_{1}}^0, as a Dark Matter (DM) candidate is furthermore in agreement with the observed limits on the DM content of the universe. Here the Next-to LSP (NLSP) serves as a coannihilation partner and is naturally close in mass to the LSP. Such scenarios are also to a large extent in agreement with negative results from Direct Detection (DD) experiments. The DM relic density can fully be explained by a nearly pure bino or a mixed bino/wino LSP. Relatively light wino and higgsino DM, on the other hand, remains easily below the DM relic density upper bound. Using the improved limits on (g-2)_mu , we explore the mass ranges of the LSP and the NLSP in their correlation with the DM relic density for bino, bino/wino, wino and higgsino DM. In particular, we analyze the sensitivity of future DM DD experiments to these DM scenarios. We find that higgsino, wino and one type of bino scenario can be covered by future DD experiments. Mixed bino/wino and another type of bino DM can reach DD cross sections below the neutrino floor. In these cases we analyze the complementarity with the (HL-)LHC and future e^+e^- linear colliders. We find that while the prospects for the HL-LHC are interesting, but not conclusive, an e^+e^- collider with sqrt{s} lesssim 1 ,, mathrm {TeV} can cover effectively all points of the MSSM that may be missed by DD experiments.

A direct test of Auger cascade induced nucleation from heavy element contamination in C3F8 bubble chambers

Understanding and quantifying the gamma-induced bubble nucleation background in clean nuclear recoil detection bubble chambers is of utmost importance to bubble chamber based dark matter searches. We present data confirming the hypothesis that large Auger cascades from high-Z elements such as iodine and xenon dramatically increase the response of C3F8 bubble chambers to gamma rays. These tests, performed with a small calibration bubble chamber filled with C3F8+\U0001d4aa(10) ppm xenon, show that the probability of bubble nucleation scales with the rate of xenon inner-shell vacancies, reaching values >10% per K-Shell vacancy for Seitz thresholds of interest to future dark matter searches in bubble chambers. We also place an upper limit on bubble nucleation probability for argon Auger events, relevant to large future bubble chambers which may contain some residual atmospheric argon after the active fluid fill.

Scintillation characteristics of a NaI(Tl) crystal at low-temperature with silicon photomultiplier

The scintillation characteristics of a thallium-doped sodium iodide (NaI(Tl)) crystal with dimensions of 0.6 cm× 0.6 cm× 2 cm were studied by attaching a silicon photomultiplier (SiPM) directly to the crystal over a temperature range of 93–300 K. The scintillation light output and decay time were measured by irradiating 59.54 keV γ-rays with a 241Am source. We observed an approximately 20% increase in the light yield at 230 K compared with that at room temperature. Under these conditions, NaI(Tl) crystals with SiPM readout can be suitable for future dark matter search detectors.

Neutrino and Axion Astronomy with Dark Matter Experiments

Sensitive dark matter (DM) experiments can be well exploited beyond their designated targets, allowing to explore a breadth of physics topics. As we discuss, future large direct DM detection experiments constitute impressive telescopes, complementary to conventional neutrino detectors. This opens a new window into neutrino astronomy, including puzzles such as the origin of supermassive black holes and topics like supernova forecast. Furthermore, DM experiments can act as effective instruments for multimessenger astronomy. This is well illustrated by exploration of relativistic axions from transient astrophysical sources (e.g. axion star explosions), providing novel signatures as well as possible insights into the axion potential.

Scanning X-Ray Diffraction Microscopy for Diamond Quantum Sensing

Understanding nano- and micro-scale crystal strain in CVD diamond is crucial to the advancement of diamond quantum technologies. In particular, the presence of such strain and its characterization present a challenge to diamond-based quantum sensing and information applications -- as well as for future dark matter detectors where directional information of incoming particles is encoded in crystal strain. Here, we exploit nanofocused scanning X-ray diffraction microscopy to quantitatively measure crystal deformation from defects in diamond with high spatial and strain resolution. Combining information from multiple Bragg angles allows stereoscopic three-dimensional modeling of strain feature geometry; the diffraction results are validated via comparison to optical measurements of the strain tensor based on spin-state-dependent spectroscopy of ensembles of nitrogen vacancy (NV) centers in the diamond. Our results demonstrate both strain and spatial resolution sufficient for directional detection of dark matter via X-ray measurement of crystal strain, and provide a promising tool for diamond growth analysis and improvement of defect-based sensing.

Wino-Higgsino dark matter in MSSM from the g − 2 anomaly

In this letter, we show that the wino-Higgsino dark matter (DM) is detectable in near future DM direct detection experiments for almost all consistent parameter space in the spontaneously broken supergravity (SUGRA) if the muon g−2 anomaly is explained by the wino-Higgsino loop diagrams. We also point out that the present and future LHC experiments can exclude or confirm this SUGRA explanation of the observed muon g−2 anomaly.