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Title: Multi-channel direct detection of light dark matter: theoretical framework

Abstract

We present a unified theoretical framework for computing spin-independent direct detection rates via various channels relevant for sub-GeV dark matter — nuclear re- coils, electron transitions and single phonon excitations. Despite the very different physics involved, in each case the rate factorizes into the particle-level matrix element squared, and an integral over a target material- and channel-specific dynamic structure factor. We show how the dynamic structure factor can be derived in all three cases following the same procedure, and extend previous results in the literature in several aspects. For electron transitions, we incorporate directional dependence and point out anisotropic target materials with strong daily modulation in the scattering rate. For single phonon excitations, we present a new derivation of the rate formula from first principles for generic spin-independent couplings, and include the first calculation of phonon excitation through electron couplings. We also discuss the interplay between single phonon excitations and nuclear recoils, and clarify the role of Umklapp processes, which can dominate the single phonon production rate for dark matter heavier than an MeV. Our results highlight the complementarity between various search channels in probing different kinematic regimes of dark matter scattering, and provide a common reference to connect darkmore » matter theories with ongoing and future direct detection experiments.« less

Authors:
ORCiD logo [1];  [1];  [2];  [3];  [3]
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  1. Univ. of California, Berkeley, CA (United States); Lawrence Berkeley National Lab. (LBNL), Berkeley, CA (United States)
  2. California Inst. of Technology (CalTech), Pasadena, CA (United States)
  3. Lawrence Berkeley National Lab. (LBNL), Berkeley, CA (United States)
Publication Date:
Research Org.:
Lawrence Berkeley National Lab. (LBNL), Berkeley, CA (United States)
Sponsoring Org.:
USDOE Office of Science (SC), Basic Energy Sciences (BES); National Science Foundation (NSF)
OSTI Identifier:
1616117
Grant/Contract Number:  
AC02-05CH11231; PHY-1638509
Resource Type:
Accepted Manuscript
Journal Name:
Journal of High Energy Physics (Online)
Additional Journal Information:
Journal Name: Journal of High Energy Physics (Online); Journal Volume: 2020; Journal Issue: 3; Journal ID: ISSN 1029-8479
Publisher:
Springer Berlin
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS; dark matter; other experiments

Citation Formats

Trickle, Tanner, Zhang, Zhengkang, Zurek, Kathryn M., Inzani, Katherine, and Griffin, Sinéad M. Multi-channel direct detection of light dark matter: theoretical framework. United States: N. p., 2020. Web. doi:10.1007/JHEP03(2020)036.
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Trickle, Tanner, Zhang, Zhengkang, Zurek, Kathryn M., Inzani, Katherine, & Griffin, Sinéad M. Multi-channel direct detection of light dark matter: theoretical framework. United States. https://doi.org/10.1007/JHEP03(2020)036
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Trickle, Tanner, Zhang, Zhengkang, Zurek, Kathryn M., Inzani, Katherine, and Griffin, Sinéad M. Fri . "Multi-channel direct detection of light dark matter: theoretical framework". United States. https://doi.org/10.1007/JHEP03(2020)036. https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/1616117.
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@article{osti_1616117,
title = {Multi-channel direct detection of light dark matter: theoretical framework},
author = {Trickle, Tanner and Zhang, Zhengkang and Zurek, Kathryn M. and Inzani, Katherine and Griffin, Sinéad M.},
abstractNote = {We present a unified theoretical framework for computing spin-independent direct detection rates via various channels relevant for sub-GeV dark matter — nuclear re- coils, electron transitions and single phonon excitations. Despite the very different physics involved, in each case the rate factorizes into the particle-level matrix element squared, and an integral over a target material- and channel-specific dynamic structure factor. We show how the dynamic structure factor can be derived in all three cases following the same procedure, and extend previous results in the literature in several aspects. For electron transitions, we incorporate directional dependence and point out anisotropic target materials with strong daily modulation in the scattering rate. For single phonon excitations, we present a new derivation of the rate formula from first principles for generic spin-independent couplings, and include the first calculation of phonon excitation through electron couplings. We also discuss the interplay between single phonon excitations and nuclear recoils, and clarify the role of Umklapp processes, which can dominate the single phonon production rate for dark matter heavier than an MeV. Our results highlight the complementarity between various search channels in probing different kinematic regimes of dark matter scattering, and provide a common reference to connect dark matter theories with ongoing and future direct detection experiments.},
doi = {10.1007/JHEP03(2020)036},
journal = {Journal of High Energy Physics (Online)},
number = 3,
volume = 2020,
place = {United States},
year = {2020},
month = {3}
}
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Journal Article:
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Publisher's Version of Record
https://doi.org/10.1007/JHEP03(2020)036
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Cited by: 44 works
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Figures / Tables:

FIG. 1 FIG. 1: Illustration of kinematic regimes probed via the three detection channels considered in this paper. For an incoming DM particle with velocity v = 10−3, the momentum transfer q and energy deposition ω are bounded by ω ≤ qv − q2/2mχ, shown by the shaded regions for three DMmore » masses. Nuclear recoils require ω = q2/2mN for a given type of nucleus, shown by the solid lines for helium and several elements in existing or proposed crystal targets. Standard calculations assuming scattering off individual nuclei break down below a few meV (a few hundred meV) for superfluid He (crystal targets), where we truncate the lines. Electron transitions can be triggered for ω above the band gap, which is $\mathcal{O}$(eV) for typical semiconductors, as shown by the dashed line. The end point at q ∼ 10 keV corresponds to a few times αme, above which valence electron wavefunctions are suppressed, and only (semi-)core electrons can contribute (which requires ω to be much higher than the band gap). Single phonon excitations are relevant for ω ≲ $\mathcal{O}$(100 meV) in typical crystals, as shown by the dotted line. The momentum transfer can be up to q ∼ $\sqrt{m_Nω_{ph}}$ ~ $\mathcal{O}$(100 keV) with ωph the phonon energies, above which the rate is suppressed by the Debye-Waller factor. We see that a GeV-mass DM can be probed by all three channels; a 10 MeV DM is out of reach in conventional nuclear recoil searches, but can be searched for via electron transitions in semiconductors and single phonon excitations in crystals; a sub-MeV DM cannot even trigger electron transitions in eV-gap materials, but can still be detected via single phonon excitations.« less
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Works referenced in this record:

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