Dark matter searches using gravitational wave bar detectors: Quark nuggets and newtorites

Abstract

Many experiments have searched for supersymmetric WIMP dark matter, with null results. This may suggest to look for more exotic possibilities, for example compact ultra-dense quark nuggets, widely discussed in literature with several different names. Nuclearites are an example of candidate compact objects with atomic size cross section. After a short discussion on nuclearites, the result of a nuclearite search with the gravitational wave bar detectors Nautilus and Explorer is reported. The geometrical acceptance of the bar detectors is 19.5 m(2) sr, that is smaller than that of other detectors used for similar searches. However, the detection mechanism is completely different and is more straightforward than in other detectors. The experimental limits we obtain are of interest because, for nuclearites of mass less than 10(-5) g, we find a flux smaller than that one predicted considering nuclearites as dark matter candidates. Particles with gravitational only interactions (newtorites) are another example. In this case the sensitivity is quite poor and a short discussion is reported on possible improvements. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved

Mass distribution of magnetized quark-nugget dark matter and comparison with requirements and observations

“…All quark nuggets interact 13 – 15 through gravitational and strong nuclear forces. A brief summary of quark-nugget formation, stability, and compliance with dark-matter requirements 7 – 35 has been updated from Ref. 17 and is provided for completeness as Supplementary Information : Quark-nugget research summary.…”

Limits on Magnetized Quark-Nugget Dark Matter from Episodic Natural Events

“…Porter et al [32] and Piotrowski et al [33] reported the absence of sufficiently fast meteor-like objects in the lower atmosphere constrains the flux of quark nuggets (nuclearites) to approximately that required to explain dark matter. Bassan et al [34] looked for quark nuggets (nuclearites) with gravitational wave detectors and found signals much less than expected for the flux of dark matter.…”

Models of ultra-heavy dark matter visible to macroscopic mechanical sensing arrays

“…We consider the search for tracklike impulse signatures of these DM candidates. Previous searches for such heavy DM have taken place at large detectors directly [12][13][14][15][16] or through observation of energy loss signatures within neutrino detectors [17] and resonant-bar gravitational wave detectors [18] as well as by looking for characteristic defects left within ancient target materials such as mica or meteorites [19,20]. Fifth-force searches [21][22][23] and existing bounds on DM self-interaction [24] also provide stringent constraints on this parameter space.…”