Testing the Dark Matter Interpretation of the DAMA/LIBRA Result with Super-Kamiokande

TL;DR

This paper evaluates whether Super-Kamiokande can test the dark matter interpretation of the DAMA/LIBRA signal, focusing on low-mass dark matter with high scattering cross sections, and discusses future prospects for corroboration.

Contribution

It demonstrates the connection between DAMA/LIBRA favored parameters and Super-Kamiokande's sensitivity, highlighting potential future analyses to test the dark matter hypothesis.

Findings

Current Super-Kamiokande limits do not exclude DAMA/LIBRA favored region.

Upcoming analyses could test dark matter masses from 5 to 10 GeV.

Different dark matter models show varying compatibility with experimental constraints.

Abstract

We consider the prospects for testing the dark matter interpretation of the DAMA/LIBRA signal with the Super-Kamiokande experiment. The DAMA/LIBRA signal favors dark matter with low mass and high scattering cross section. We show that these characteristics imply that the scattering cross section that enters the DAMA/LIBRA event rate determines the annihilation rate probed by Super-Kamiokande. Current limits from Super-Kamiokande through-going events do not test the DAMA/LIBRA favored region. We show, however, that upcoming analyses including fully-contained events with sensitivity to dark matter masses from 5 to 10 GeV may corroborate the DAMA/LIBRA signal. We conclude by considering three specific dark matter candidates, neutralinos, WIMPless dark matter, and mirror dark matter, which illustrate the various model-dependent assumptions entering our analysis.