Dark matter, light mediators, and the neutrino floor

Abstract

We analyze future direct data matter detection experiments using Effective Field Theory (EFT) operators with light, $\lesssim 100$ MeV mass mediators. We compare the nuclear recoil energy spectra from these operators to the predicted high energy solar neutrino spectrum. A set of operators that generate spectra similar to the neutrino background is identified, however this set is distinct from those that mimic the neutrino background for heavy, $\gtrsim 100$ MeV mass mediators. We outline a general classification scheme based on momentum dependence of the dark matter-nucleus interaction to determine how strong the discovery limit for a given operator saturates in the presence of the neutrino background. Our results highlight the benefit of considering a general theoretical framework regarding dark matter, and motivate continued experimental progress towards lower nuclear recoil energy thresholds.

4 pages, 2 figures

References in corpus (5)

• DARWIN: towards the ultimate dark matter detector
• Non-relativistic effective theory of dark matter direct detection
• Particle Physics Models for the 17 MeV Anomaly in Beryllium Nuclear Decays
• Complementarity of dark matter detectors in light of the neutrino background
• Light mediators in dark matter direct detections

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• Fog on the horizon: a new definition of the neutrino floor for direct dark matter searches
• Particle Physics Models for the 17 MeV Anomaly in Beryllium Nuclear Decays
• A Next-Generation Liquid Xenon Observatory for Dark Matter and Neutrino Physics
• Primordial Black Hole Dark Matter evaporating on the Neutrino Floor
• The WIMP Paradigm: Theme and Variations
• Medium effects in supernovae constraints on light mediators
• CYG$\nu$S: Detecting solar neutrinos with directional gas time projection chambers
• New light mediators and the neutrino fog: Implications from XENONnT nuclear recoil data
• Nuclear and electron scattering by neutrinos and dark matter in condensed systems
• Searching for beyond-Standard-Model solar neutrino interactions using directional detectors