The Maximum Patch Method for Directional Dark Matter Detection

TL;DR

This paper introduces a statistical method tailored for directional dark matter detection experiments, enhancing sensitivity in setting upper limits by analyzing event gaps in energy and angle data.

Contribution

It provides a practical recipe for calculating upper limits in future directional dark matter detection experiments using the maximum gap method.

Findings

Enables more sensitive upper limit setting in dark matter searches.

Incorporates both recoil energy and angle data for improved analysis.

Offers a numerical approach for experimental planning.

Abstract

Present and planned dark matter detection experiments search for WIMP-induced nuclear recoils in poorly known background conditions. In this environment, the maximum gap statistical method provides a way of setting more sensitive cross section upper limits by incorporating known signal information. We give a recipe for the numerical calculation of upper limits for planned directional dark matter detection experiments, that will measure both recoil energy and angle, based on the gaps between events in two-dimensional phase space.