CoGeNT interpretations
- Physics Department, University of California Davis, Davis, California 95616 (United States)
- Center for Cosmology and Particle Physics, Department of Physics, New York University, New York, NY 10003 (United States)
- Michigan Center for Theoretical Physics (MCTP) Department of Physics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109 (United States)
Recently, the CoGeNT experiment has reported events in excess of expected background. We analyze dark matter scenarios which can potentially explain this signal. Under the standard case of spin independent scattering with equal couplings to protons and neutrons, we find significant tensions with existing constraints. Consistency with these limits is possible if a large fraction of the putative signal events is coming from an additional source of experimental background. In this case, dark matter recoils cannot be said to explain the excess, but are consistent with it. We also investigate modifications to dark matter scattering that can evade the null experiments. In particular, we explore generalized spin independent couplings to protons and neutrons, spin dependent couplings, momentum dependent scattering, and inelastic interactions. We find that some of these generalizations can explain most of the CoGeNT events without violation of other constraints. Generalized couplings with some momentum dependence allow further consistency with the DAMA modulation signal, realizing a scenario where both CoGeNT and DAMA signals are coming from dark matter. A model with dark matter interacting and annihilating into a new light boson can realize most of the scenarios considered.
- OSTI ID:
- 22272814
- Journal Information:
- Journal of Cosmology and Astroparticle Physics, Vol. 2010, Issue 08; Other Information: Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 1475-7516
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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