Future Direct Detection Experiments Research Articles

Reopening the Z portal with semi-annihilations

In one-component dark matter (DM) scenarios is commonly assumed that a scalar weakly interacting massive particle must either be part of an SU(2)L multiplet with zero hypercharge or have suppressed vector interactions with the Z-gauge boson to circumvent stringent direct detection (DD) bounds. In this work, we demonstrate that multicomponent scenarios with a dark scalar doublet exhibiting vectorlike interactions with the Z boson are also compatible with bounds arising from DD searches. Specifically, we consider a simple extension of the Standard Model wherein the dark sector comprises a doublet and a complex singlet ϕ, both charged under a Z6 symmetry. We find that semi-annihilation processes drastically reduce the relic abundance of the neutral component of the doublet, H0, sufficiently attenuating the effects of its large Z-mediated elastic scattering cross-section with nucleons to satisfy the DD constraints. Although the contribution of H0 to the total relic abundance is nearly negligible, with ϕ dominating, both dark matter components are expected to be detectable in ongoing and future DD experiments. The viability of the model is tested against several theoretical and experimental constraints, resulting in a parameter space featuring a nondegenerate mass spectrum at the electroweak scale. Published by the American Physical Society 2024

Singlet Dirac dark matter streamlined

We propose a new and compact realization of singlet Dirac dark matter within the WIMP framework. Our model replaces the standard Z 2 stabilizing symmetry with a Z 6, and uses spontaneous symmetry breaking to generate the dark matter mass, resulting in a much simplified scenario for Dirac dark matter. Concretely, we extend the Standard Model (SM) with just two new particles, a Dirac fermion (the dark matter) and a real scalar, both charged under the Z 6 symmetry. After acquiring a vacuum expectation value, the scalar gives mass to the dark matter and mixes with the Higgs boson, providing the link between the dark sector and the SM particles. With only four free parameters, this new model is extremely simple and predictive. We study the dark matter density as a function of the model's free parameters and use a likelihood approach to determine its viable parameter space. Our results demonstrate that the dark matter mass can be as large as 6 TeV while remaining consistent with all known theoretical and experimental bounds. In addition, a large fraction of viable models turns out to lie within the sensitivity of future direct detection experiments, furnishing a promising way to test this appealing scenario.

Light thermal dark matter beyond p-wave annihilation in minimal Higgs portal model

This study explores a minimal renormalizable dark matter (DM) model, incorporating a sub-GeV Majorana DM and a singlet scalar particle ϕ. Using scalar and pseudo-scalar interactions (couplings cs and cp), we investigate implications for DM detection, considering s-wave, p-wave, and combined (s+p wave) contributions in DM annihilation cross-section, as well as loop-correction contributions to DM-nucleon elastic scattering. Identifying a broad parameter space (10 MeV < mχ ≲ mϕ) within the 2σ allowed region, we explore scenarios (|cs| ≫ |cp|, |cs| ≪ |cp|, and |cs| ≈ |cp|). We find that (i) a non-zero pseudo-scalar coupling alleviates direct detection constraints as a comparison with the previous pure scalar coupling case; (ii) CMB observations set stringent limits on pseudo-scalar interaction dominant cases, making s-wave annihilation viable only for mχ > 1 GeV; (iii) the preferred ϕ-resonance region can be tested in the future indirect detection experiments, such as e-ASTROGAM.

OSIRIS-REx constraints on local dark matter and cosmic neutrino profiles

We derive purely gravitational constraints on dark matter and cosmic neutrino profiles in the solar system using asteroid (101955) Bennu. We focus on Bennu because of its extensive tracking data and high-fidelity trajectory modeling resulting from the OSIRIS-REx mission. We find that the local density of dark matter is bound by ρ DM ≲ 3.3 × 10-15 kg/m3 ≃ 6 × 106 ρ̅DM, in the vicinity of ∼ 1.1 au (where ρ̅DM ≃ 0.3 GeV/cm3). We show that high-precision tracking data of solar system objects can constrain cosmic neutrino overdensities relative to the Standard Model prediction n̅ν, at the level of η ≡ n ν/n̅ν ≲ 1.7 × 1011(0.1 eV/mν ) (Saturn), comparable to the existing bounds from KATRIN and other previous laboratory experiments (with mν the neutrino mass). These local bounds have interesting implications for existing and future direct-detection experiments. Our constraints apply to all dark matter candidates but are particularly meaningful for scenarios including solar halos, stellar basins, and axion miniclusters, which predict overdensities in the solar system. Furthermore, introducing a DM-SM long-range fifth force with a strength α̃D times stronger than gravity, Bennu can set a constraint on ρ DM ≲ ρ̅DM(6 × 106/α̃D). These constraints can be improved in the future as the accuracy of tracking data improves, observational arcs increase, and more missions visit asteroids.

Forbidden conformal dark matter at a GeV

We introduce a model of dark matter (DM) where the DM is a composite of a spontaneously broken conformal field theory. The DM is a thermal relic with its abundance determined by the freeze-out of annihilations to dilatons, the Goldstone boson of broken conformal symmetry. If the dilaton is heavier than the DM this is an example of forbidden DM. We explore the phenomenology of this model in its 5D dual description, corresponding to a warped extra dimension with the Standard Model on the ultraviolet brane and the DM on the infrared brane. We find the model is compatible with theoretical and experimental constraints for DM masses in the 0.1–10 GeV range. The conformal phase transition is supercooled and strongly first-order. It can source large stochastic gravitational wave signals consistent with those recently observed at pulsar timing arrays like NANOGrav. The majority of the viable parameter space will be probed by future detectors designed to search for long-lived particles, including most of the region favored by the NANOGrav signal. The rest of the parameter space can be probed at future direct detection experiments.

The impact of the Large Magellanic Cloud on dark matter direct detection signals

We study the effect of the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC) on the dark matter (DM) distribution in the Solar neighborhood, utilizing the Auriga magneto-hydrodynamical simulations of Milky Way (MW) analogues that have an LMC-like system. We extract the local DM velocity distribution at different times during the orbit of the LMC around the MW in the simulations. As found in previous idealized simulations of the MW-LMC system, we find that the DM particles in the Solar neighborhood originating from the LMC analogue dominate the high speed tail of the local DM speed distribution. Furthermore, the native DM particles of the MW in the Solar region are boosted to higher speeds as a result of a response to the LMC's motion.We simulate the signals expected in near future xenon, germanium, and silicon direct detection experiments, considering DM interactions with target nuclei or electrons. We find that the presence of the LMC causes a considerable shift in the expected direct detection exclusion limits towards smaller cross sections and DM masses, with the effect being more prominent for low mass DM. Hence, our study shows, for the first time, that the LMC's influence on the local DM distribution is significant even in fully cosmological MW analogues.

Loop enhancement of direct detection cross section in a fermionic dark matter model

We investigate the effect of one loop quantum corrections on the elastic scattering of dark matter off the nucleon in a fermionic dark matter model. The model introduces two new singlet fermions and a singlet scalar. The fermions communicate with the SM particles through a Higgs portal. It is found that some viable regions in the parameter space respecting the bounds from the observed relic density, the Higgs invisible decay width, and direct detection experiment, will be shrunk significantly when one loop effects are taken into account. The regions already resided below the neutrino floor, partly may come into regions which are testable by the current or future direct detection experiments. In addition, some regions being viable at tree level, may be excluded when quantum corrections are included.

The Z7 model of three-component scalar dark matter

We investigate, for the first time, a scenario where the dark matter consists of three complex scalar fields that are stabilized by a single Z7 symmetry. As an extension of the well-known scalar Higgs-portal, this Z7 model is also subject to important restrictions arising from the relic density constraint and from direct detection experiments. Our goal in this paper is to find and characterize the viable regions of this model, and to analyze its detection prospects in future experiments. First, the processes that affect the relic densities are identified (they include semiannihilations and conversions) and then incorporated into the Boltzmann equations for the dark matter abundances, which are numerically solved with micrOMEGAs. By means of random scans of the parameter space, the regions consistent with current data, including the recent direct detection limit from the LZ experiment, are selected. Our results reveal that the Z7 model is indeed viable over a wide range of dark matter masses and that both conversions and semiannihilations play an important role in determining the relic densities. Remarkably, we find that in many cases all three of the dark matter particles give rise to observable signals in future direct detection experiments, providing a suitable way to test this scenario.

Dark Contributions to h → μ + μ – in the Presence of a μ-Flavored Vector-Like Lepton

A simple extension of the standard model (SM) with a μ-flavored vector-like lepton (VLL) doublet and a real singlet scalar can have an interesting implication to the h → μ + μ – decay while offering the simplest possible explanation for the dark matter (DM) phenomenology. Assuming the real singlet scalar to be a viable DM candidate, it has been shown that the muon Yukawa coupling can have a negative contribution at the one-loop order if the 2nd generation SM leptons are allowed to couple with the VLL doublet. The stringent direct detection bounds corresponding to a real singlet scalar DM can easily be relaxed if the SM quark sector was augmented with a dimension-6 operator at some new physics (NP) scale Λ NP. Thus, this model presents a significant phenomenological study where the muon Yukawa coupling can be corrected within a real singlet scalar DM framework. The considered parameter space can be tested/constrained through the high luminosity run of the LHC (HL-LHC) and future direct detection experiments.

Limits on the cosmic neutrino background

We present the first comprehensive discussion of constraints on the cosmic neutrino background (CνB) overdensity, including theoretical, experimental and cosmological limits for a wide range of neutrino masses and temperatures. Additionally, we calculate the sensitivities of future direct and indirect relic neutrino detection experiments and compare the results with the existing constraints, extending several previous analyses by taking into account that the CνB reference frame may not be aligned with that of the Earth. The Pauli exclusion principle strongly disfavours overdensities ην ≫ 1 at small neutrino masses, but allows for overdensities ην ≲ 125 at the KATRIN mass bound mν ≃ 0.8 eV. On the other hand, cosmology strongly favours 0.2 ≲ ην ≲ 3.5 in all scenarios. We find that direct detection proposals are capable of observing the CνB without a significant overdensity for neutrino masses mν ≳ 50 meV, but require an overdensity ην ≳ 3 × 105 outside of this range. We also demonstrate that relic neutrino detection proposals are sensitive to the helicity composition of the CνB, whilst some may be able to distinguish between Dirac and Majorana neutrinos.

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 ${\ensuremath{\lambda}}_{3}&lt;0$, 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.

Probing neutrino magnetic moments and the Xenon1T excess with coherent elastic solar neutrino scattering

The detection potential of the active neutrino magnetic moment ($\nu_{a}$MM) and the active sterile transition magnetic moment ($\nu_{s}$MM) of the solar neutrino CE$\nu$NS process in future Dark Matter direct detection experiments is studied and compared with the respective allowed range to explain the Xenon1T excess. We find that the sensitivity to the $\nu_{a}$MM approaches to the level between $10^{-10}\mu_B$ and $10^{-11}\mu_B$, which is dominantly limited by the detection threshold. On the other hand, the future solar neutrino CE$\nu$NS detection would be powerful in probing the $\nu_{s}$MM for the sterile neutrino mass below 10 MeV, which could unambiguously test the $\nu_{s}$MM explanation of the Xenon1T excess. The sensitivity in the general framework with both $\nu_{a}$MM and $\nu_{s}$MM contributions is also derived.

The last complex WIMPs standing

We continue the study of weakly interacting massive particles (WIMP) started in Bottaro et al. (Eur Phys J C 82:31, 2022), focusing on a single complex electroweak n-plet with non-zero hypercharge added to the Standard Model. The minimal splitting between the Dark Matter and its electroweak neutral partner required to circumvent direct detection constraints allows only multiplets with hypercharge smaller or equal to 1. We compute for the first time all the calculable WIMP masses up to the largest multiplet allowed by perturbative unitarity. For the minimal allowed splitting, most of these multiplets can be fully probed at future large-exposure direct detection experiments, with the notable exception of the doublet with hypercharge 1/2. We show how a future muon collider can fully explore the parameter space of the complex doublet combining missing mass, displaced track and long-lived track searches. In the same spirit, we study how a future muon collider can probe the parameter space of complex WIMPs in regions where the direct detection cross section drops below the neutrino floor. Finally, we comment on how precision observables can provide additional constraints on complex WIMPs.

Direct detection of pseudo-Nambu-Goldstone dark matter in a two Higgs doublet plus singlet extension of the SM

We calculate the leading radiative corrections to the dark-matter-nucleon scattering in the pseudo-Nambu-Goldstone dark matter model augmented with a second Higgs doublet (S2HDM). In this model, the cross sections for the scattering of the dark-matter on nuclei vanishes at tree-level in the limit of zero momentum-transfer due to a U(1) symmetry. However, this symmetry is softly broken in order to give a mass to the dark-matter particle. As a consequence, non-vanishing scattering cross sections arise at the loop level. We find that the current cross-section limits from dark-matter direct-detection experiments can hardly constrain the parameter space of the S2HDM. However, the loop-corrected predictions for the scattering cross sections can be well within the reach of future direct-detection experiments. As a consequence, future phenomenological analyses of the S2HDM should take into account cross-section predictions beyond tree-level and the experimental constraints from dark-matter direct-detection experiments.

Charged dark matter in supersymmetric twin Higgs models

Supersymmetric Twin Higgs models ameliorate the fine-tuning of the electroweak scale originating from the heavy scalar top partners required by the non-discovery of them at the Large Hadron Collider. If the Lightest Supersymmetric Particle resides in the twin sector, it may play the role of dark matter even if it is charged under twin gauge interactions. We show that the twin stau is a viable candidate for charged dark matter, even if the twin electromagnetic gauge symmetry is unbroken, with thermal relic abundance that naturally matches the observed dark matter abundance. A wide parameter space satisfies all the experimental constraints including those on dark matter self-interactions. Twin stau dark matter can be observed in future direct detection experiments such as LUX-ZEPLIN. The stau has a mass in the range of 300–500 GeV, and in the minimal scenario, has a decay length long enough to be observed as a disappearing track or a long-lived particle at the Large Hadron Collider.

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.

Higgsino dark matter in pure gravity mediated supersymmetry

We consider the prospects for the direct detection of dark matter in pure gravity meditation (PGM) models of supersymmetry breaking. Minimal PGM models require only two parameters, the gravitino mass, $m_{3/2}$, which sets the UV mass for all scalar masses, and $\tan\beta$. Gaugino masses are generated through anomaly mediation. Typically the lightest supersymmetric state (the dark matter candidate) is a wino. Here, we consider a one-parameter extension of the minimal model by allowing the Higgs soft masses to deviate from universality. For simplicity, we take these to be equal and use the $\mu$-term as a surrogate. We also consider non-universal stop masses. When $|\mu| \sim 1$ TeV, the Higgsino is a viable dark matter candidate when the gravitino mass is of order $\sim 1$ PeV and $\tan\beta \simeq 2$. We calculate the spin-dependent and spin-independent cross sections for dark matter scattering on protons. For spin-independent scattering, existing experimental limits place constraints on the PGM parameter space. Much of the currently allowed parameter space lies above the irreducible neutrino background. Thus, future direct detection experiments will be able to probe much of the remaining PGM parameter space.

Impact of Sommerfeld effect and bound state formation in simplified t-channel dark matter models

The existence of a dark matter model with a rich dark sector could be the reason why WIMP dark matter has evaded its detection so far. For instance, colored coannihilation naturally leads to the prediction of heavier dark matter masses. Importantly, in such a scenario the Sommerfeld effect and bound state formation must be considered in order to accurately predict the relic abundance. Based on the example of the currently widely studied t-channel simplified model with a colored mediator, we demonstrate the importance of considering these non-perturbative effects for correctly inferring the viable model parameters. We emphasize that a flat correction factor on the relic abundance is not sufficient in this context. Moreover, we find that parameter space thought to be excluded by direct detection experiments and LHC searches remains still viable. Additionally, we illustrate that long-lived particle searches and bound-state searches at the LHC can play a crucial role in probing such a model. We demonstrate how future direct detection experiments will be able to close almost all of the remaining window for freeze-out production, making it a highly testable scenario.

Electroweak corrections to dark matter direct detection in the dark singlet phase of the N2HDM

Direct detection experiments are the only way to obtain indisputable evidence of the existence of dark matter (DM) in the form of a particle. These experiments have been used to probe many extensions of the Standard Model (SM) that provide DM candidates. Experimental results like the latest ones from XENON1T lead to severe constraints in the parameter space of many of the proposed models. In a simple extension of the SM, the addition of a complex singlet to the SM content, one-loop corrections need to be taken into account because the tree-level cross section is proportional to the DM velocity, and therefore negligible. In this work we study the case of a DM particle with origin in a singlet but in a larger framework of an extension by an extra doublet together with the extra singlet providing the DM candidate. We show that in the region of interest of the present and future direct detection experiments, electroweak corrections are quite stable with a K-factor very close to one.