Deducing the nature of dark matter from direct and indirect detection experiments in the absence of collider signatures of new physics

TL;DR

This paper explores how astrophysical experiments can identify the nature of dark matter without collider evidence, using a model-independent approach to analyze detection constraints and sensitivities for generic weakly interacting particles.

Contribution

It develops a model-independent framework to interpret direct and indirect detection data for dark matter, independent of collider results or specific particle physics models.

Findings

Constraints on generic dark matter particles from detection experiments.

Sensitivity estimates for various interaction types.

Guidance for future astrophysical dark matter searches.

Abstract

Despite compelling arguments that significant discoveries of physics beyond the standard model are likely to be made at the Large Hadron Collider, it remains possible that this machine will make no such discoveries, or will make no discoveries directly relevant to the dark matter problem. In this article, we study the ability of astrophysical experiments to deduce the nature of dark matter in such a scenario. In most dark matter studies, the relic abundance and detection prospects are evaluated within the context of some specific particle physics model or models (e.g. supersymmetry). Here, we attempt to develop a model-independent approach toward the phenomenology of weakly interacting massive particles in the absence of any discoveries at the Large Hadron Collider. In particular, we consider generic fermionic or scalar dark matter particles with a variety of interaction forms, and calculate the corresponding constraints from and sensitivity of direct and indirect detection experiments. The results may provide some guidance in disentangling information from future direct and indirect detection experiments.