Discriminating dark matter candidates using direct detection

TL;DR

This paper explores how direct detection experiments can differentiate dark matter candidates by analyzing spin-dependent and independent interactions, emphasizing the importance of diverse detectors and improved sensitivities.

Contribution

It demonstrates that combined measurements of spin-dependent and independent interactions can distinguish dark matter models, highlighting the role of detector material diversity and collider data.

Findings

Combined measurements can discriminate dark matter candidates.

Different detector materials improve discrimination.

Collider data can clarify complex scattering scenarios.

Abstract

We examine the predictions for both the spin dependent and spin independent direct detection rates in a variety of new particle physics models with dark matter candidates. We show that a determination of both spin independent and spin dependent amplitudes on protons and neutrons can in principle discriminate different candidates of dark matter up to a few ambiguities. We emphasize the importance of making measurements with different spin dependent sensitive detector materials and the need for significant improvement of the detector sensitivities. Scenarii where exchange of new coloured particles contributes significantly to the elastic scattering cross sections are often the most difficult to identify, the LHC should give an indication whether such scenarii are relevant for direct detection.