Hidden MeV-scale dark matter in neutrino detectors
- Brookhaven National Laboratory, Upton, New York 11973 (United States)
The possibility of direct detection of light fermionic dark matter in neutrino detectors is explored from a model-independent standpoint. We consider all operators of dimension six or lower which can contribute to the interaction fp{yields}e{sup +}n, where f is a dark Majorana or Dirac fermion. Constraints on these operators are then obtained from the f lifetime and its decays which produce visible {gamma} rays or electrons. We find one operator which would allow fp{yields}e{sup +}n at interesting rates in neutrino detectors, as long as m{sub f} < or approx. m{sub {pi}}. The existing constraints on light dark matter from relic density arguments, supernova cooling rates, and big-bang nucleosynthesis are then reviewed. We calculate the cross section for fp{yields}e{sup +}n in neutrino detectors implied by this operator, and find that Super-Kamiokande can probe the new physics scale {lambda} for this interaction up to O(100 TeV)
- OSTI ID:
- 21313512
- Journal Information:
- Physical Review. D, Particles Fields, Vol. 80, Issue 11; Other Information: DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevD.80.115017; (c) 2009 The American Physical Society; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 0556-2821
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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