Multidimensional effective field theory analysis for direct detection of dark matter
- University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN (United States)
- Durham University (United Kingdom); University Autonoma de Madrid (Spain)
- Ecole Normalw Superieure de Cachan (France); University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN (United States)
The scattering of dark matter particles off nuclei in direct detection experiments can be described in terms of a multidimensional effective field theory (EFT). Here a new systematic analysis technique is developed using the EFT approach and Bayesian inference methods to exploit, when possible, the energy-dependent information of the detected events, experimental efficiencies, and backgrounds. Highly dimensional likelihoods are calculated over the mass of the weakly interacting massive particle (WIMP) and multiple EFT coupling coefficients, which can then be used to set limits on these parameters and choose models (EFT operators) that best fit the direct detection data. Expanding the parameter space beyond the standard spin-independent isoscalar cross section and WIMP mass reduces tensions between previously published experiments. Combining these experiments to form a single joint likelihood leads to stronger limits than when each experiment is considered on its own. Simulations using two nonstandard operators ($$\mathscr{O}$$3 and $$\mathscr{O}$$8) are used to test the proposed analysis technique in up to five dimensions and demonstrate the importance of using multiple likelihood projections when determining constraints on WIMP mass and EFT coupling coefficients. In particular, this shows that an explicit momentum dependence in dark matter scattering can be identified.
- Research Organization:
- Univ. of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE Office of Science (SC); Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC); MultiDark; Severo Ochoa Program
- Grant/Contract Number:
- SC0012294; CSD2009-0006; SEV-2012-0249
- OSTI ID:
- 1536272
- Alternate ID(s):
- OSTI ID: 1351690
- Journal Information:
- Physical Review. D., Vol. 95, Issue 8; ISSN 2470-0010
- Publisher:
- American Physical Society (APS)Copyright Statement
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Web of Science
Exploring light mediators with low-threshold direct detection experiments
|
journal | November 2017 |
| Neutron EDM constrains direct dark matter detection prospects | text | January 2019 |
| The phenomenology of nuclear scattering for a WIMP of arbitrary spin | text | January 2021 |
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