Constraints on low-mass, relic dark matter candidates from a surface-operated SuperCDMS single-charge sensitive detector

Amaral, D. W. P.; Aralis, T.; Aramaki, T.; Arnquist, I. J.; Azadbakht, E.; Banik, S.; Barker, D.; Bathurst, C.; Bauer, D. A.; Bezerra, L. V. S.; Bhattacharyya, R.; Binder, Tobias; Bowles, M. A.; Brink, P. L.; Bunker, R.; Cabrera, B.; Calkins, R.; Cameron, R. A.; Cartaro, C.; Cerdeño, D. G.; Chang, Yen-Yung; Chen, R.; Chott, N.; Cooley, J.; Coombes, H.; Corbett, Jacqueline; Cushman, P.; Brienne, F. De; Vacri, M. L. Di; Diamond, M.; Fascione, E.; Figueroa‐Feliciano, E.; Fink, C. W.; Fouts, K.; Fritts, M.; Gerbier, G.; Germond, R.; Ghaith, M.; Golwala, S. R.; Harris, H. R.; Herbert, Nick; Hines, B. A.; Hollister, M. I.; Hong, Z.; Hoppe, E. W.; Hsu, L.; Huber, M. E.; Iyer, V.; Jardin, D.; Jastram, A.; Kelsey, M.; Kubik, A.; Kurinsky, Noah; Lawrence, R. E.; Li, A.; Loer, B.; Asamar, E. López; Lukens, P.; Macdonell, Danika Marina; MacFarlane, D. B.; Mahapatra, R.; Mandic, V.; Mast, N.; Mayer, A.; Michaud, M.; Michielin, E.; Mirabolfathi, N.; Mohanty, B.; Mendoza, J. D. Morales; Nagorny, S.; Nelson, J. K.; Neog, H.; Novati, V.; Orrell, J. L.; Oser, S. M.; Page, W. A.; Pakarha, P.; Partridge, R.; Podviianiuk, R.; Ponce, F.; Poudel, S. S.; Pyle, M.; Rau, W.; Reid, E.; Ren, R.; Reynolds, T. N.; Roberts, A.; Robinson, Alan; Rogers, H. E.; Saab, T.; Sadoulet, B.; Sander, J.; Sattari, Amirmohammad; Schnee, R. W.; Scorza, S.; Serfass, B.; Sincavage, D. J.; Stanford, C.; Stein, M.; Street, J. C.; Toback, D.; Underwood, R.; Verma, S.; Villano, A. N.; Krosigk, B. von; Watkins, S. L.; Wills, L.; Wilson, J. S.; Wilson, M. J.; Winchell, J.; Wright, D. H.; Yellin, S.; Young, B. A.; Yu, To Chin; Zhang, E.; Zhang, H. G.; Zhao, X.; Zheng, Liang

doi:10.1103/physrevd.102.091101

Cited by 154 publications

(105 citation statements)

References 56 publications

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“…• Low-threshold direct-detection experiments searching for electron recoils provide additional constraints on any signal that also produces sub-keV electron recoils [16,18,[36][37][38][39][40][41][42][43][44][45][46]. For energies of order 100's of eV, the XENON1T S2-only analysis is especially constraining [44].…”

Section: Jhep01(2021)178 2 Models and Summarymentioning

confidence: 99%

Exploring new physics with O(keV) electron recoils in direct detection experiments

Bloch

Caputo

Essig

et al. 2021

J. High Energ. Phys.

106

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Motivated by the recent XENON1T results, we explore various new physics models that can be discovered through searches for electron recoils in $$ \mathcal{O} $$ O (keV)-threshold direct-detection experiments. First, we consider the absorption of axion-like particles, dark photons, and scalars, either as dark matter relics or being produced directly in the Sun. In the latter case, we find that keV mass bosons produced in the Sun provide an adequate fit to the data but are excluded by stellar cooling constraints. We address this tension by introducing a novel Chameleon-like axion model, which can explain the excess while evading the stellar bounds. We find that absorption of bosonic dark matter provides a viable explanation for the excess only if the dark matter is a dark photon or an axion. In the latter case, photophobic axion couplings are necessary to avoid X-ray constraints. Second, we analyze models of dark matter-electron scattering to determine which models might explain the excess. Standard scattering of dark matter with electrons is generically in conflict with data from lower-threshold experiments. Momentum-dependent interactions with a heavy mediator can fit the data with dark matter mass heavier than a GeV but are generically in tension with collider constraints. Next, we consider dark matter consisting of two (or more) states that have a small mass splitting. The exothermic (down)scattering of the heavier state to the lighter state can fit the data for keV mass splittings. Finally, we consider a subcomponent of dark matter that is accelerated by scattering off cosmic rays, finding that dark matter interacting though an $$ \mathcal{O} $$ O (100 keV)-mass mediator can fit the data. The cross sections required in this scenario are, however, typically challenged by complementary probes of the light mediator. Throughout our study, we implement an unbinned Monte Carlo analysis and use an improved energy reconstruction of the XENON1T events.

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Section: Jhep01(2021)178 2 Models and Summarymentioning

confidence: 99%

Exploring new physics with O(keV) electron recoils in direct detection experiments

Bloch

Caputo

Essig

et al. 2021

J. High Energ. Phys.

106

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“…We see that, overall, a significant region of the model parameter space leads to successful results.Finally, one might wonder what this setup predicts, e.g., for DM direct detection experiments in comparison to the usual single DP scenario due to the existence of the two Z i exchanges. As is well-known, in this DM mass range, χ − e elastic scattering may likely be the most sensitive channel[66][67][68][69][70][71]. Assuming that the DM mass is in the mass range such that µ = m e m χ /(m e +m χ ) → m e and noting that the momentum transfer Q 2 m 2 1,2 , this cross section is given numerically in this scenario by the expression…”

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confidence: 99%

The Bactrian effect: multiple resonances and light Dirac dark matter

Rizzo

2021

J. High Energ. Phys.

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The possibility of light dark matter (DM) annihilating through a dark photon (DP) which kinetically mixes (KM) with the Standard Model (SM) hypercharge field is a very attractive scenario. For DM in the interesting mass range below ∼ 1 GeV, it is well known that bounds from the CMB provide a very strong model building constraint forcing the DM annihilation cross section to be roughly 3 orders of magnitude below that needed to reproduce the observed relic density. Under most circumstances this removes the possibility of an s-wave annihilation process for DM in this mass range as would be the case, e.g., if the DM were a Dirac fermion. In an extra-dimensional setup explored previously, it was found that the s-channel exchange of multiple gauge bosons could simultaneously encompass a suppressed annihilation cross section during the CMB era while also producing a sufficiently large annihilation rate during freeze-out to recover the DM relic density. In this paper, we analyze more globally the necessary requirements for this mechanism to work successfully and then realize them within the context of a simple model with two ‘dark’ gauge bosons having masses of a similar magnitude and whose contributions to the annihilation amplitude destructively interfere. We show that if the DM mass threshold lies appropriately in the saddle region of this destructive interference between the two resonance humps it then becomes possible to satisfy these requirements simultaneously provided several ancillary conditions are met. The multiple constraints on the parameter space of this setup are then explored in detail to identify the phenomenologically successful regions.

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“…Because this simply scales with number of detector electrons, this allows even small detectors to search for such particles in any detector material. Such work has recently been performed by SuperCDMS [47,48] and others.…”

Section: Dark Sectorsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…So while HV detectors are currently limited to thresholds of 10s of eV ee , the HVeVs now routinely achieve ∼0.1 eV ee . Such low thresholds have allowed SuperCDMS to probe new low mass DM parameter space even at above-ground facilities[47,48].Perhaps more importantly the HVeVs are an excellent testbed for improving the technologies used in all SuperCDMS detectors. Below we highlight two such aspects of this.…”

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confidence: 99%

Cryogenic Detector Development for SuperCDMS

Mast

2020

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Completing this work has certainly been a journey. Along the way there were triumphs and setbacks, tremendous gains and devastating losses. Many things are quite different now than they were over six years ago when I first found myself a fresh grad student in old Tate hall. The research presented here has all taken place against a backdrop of changing personal, political, and societal conditions. I have only managed to navigate this all due to aid of many people, and I owe each of them my thanks for the influence they have had in my life. Because you are so numerous and I so forgetful, I am certain to neglect some of you, but here goes... First I thank Prisca Cushman and Vuk Mandic who have together steered the course of the SuperCDMS group at UMN. Their scientific, professional, and personal guidance have helped shape me into a better physicist. In particular I thank my advisor Vuk for his calm and insightful manner and superb mentorship. Your steady hand has been a great help and comfort to me at many times, certainly more than I have let show. Thanks also to the post-docs I had the pleasure of working with at UMN, including Hassan Chagani, Matt Fritts, and Anthony Villano. Hassan and Matt, you helped me learn how to operate a dilution fridge with enough confidence to only occasionally wake bolt upright in the middle of the night in fear that I had left some important valve open and lost all the mix! From what I understand now, that is actually a sign of a reasonable level of competence, so thank you! Matt and Anthony, you helped me to learn many of the nuts and bolts of the particular blend of astrophysical, solid state, and experimental particle physics that is DM research. You have also shown through your diligent work and attention to detail how essential, but also how hard it is to produce good, solid, and valuable scientific results. While I am a better researcher for having worked with each of you, more importantly, I value you both as friends.

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Constraints on low-mass, relic dark matter candidates from a surface-operated SuperCDMS single-charge sensitive detector

Cited by 154 publications

References 56 publications

Exploring new physics with O(keV) electron recoils in direct detection experiments

Exploring new physics with O(keV) electron recoils in direct detection experiments

The Bactrian effect: multiple resonances and light Dirac dark matter

Cryogenic Detector Development for SuperCDMS

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