Update on the Direct Detection of Dark Matter in MSSM Models with Non-Universal Higgs Masses

TL;DR

This paper explores how non-universal Higgs mass models (NUHM1 and NUHM2) in MSSM can enhance or suppress the direct detection prospects of neutralino dark matter compared to the CMSSM, depending on neutralino mass and Higgs properties.

Contribution

It demonstrates that NUHM models allow for larger or smaller spin-independent cross sections than CMSSM, expanding the parameter space for dark matter detection.

Findings

NUHM1 and NUHM2 can have larger cross sections for heavier neutralinos.

NUHM models provide more diverse detection possibilities than CMSSM.

Scalar and pseudoscalar Higgs masses influence detection cross sections.

Abstract

We discuss the possibilities for the direct detection of neutralino dark matter via elastic scattering in variants of the minimal supersymmetric extension of the Standard Model (MSSM) with non-universal supersymmetry-breaking contributions to the Higgs masses, which may be either equal (NUHM1) or independent (NUHM2). We compare the ranges found in the NUHM1 and NUHM2 with that found in the MSSM with universal supersymmetry-breaking contributions to all scalar masses, the CMSSM. We find that both the NUHM1 and NUHM2 offer the possibility of larger spin-independent dark matter scattering cross sections than in the CMSSM for larger neutralino masses, since they allow the density of heavier neutralinos with large Higgsino components to fall within the allowed range by astrophysics. The NUHM1 and NUHM2 also offer more possibilities than the CMSSM for small cross sections for lower neutralino masses, since they may be suppressed by scalar and pseudoscalar Higgs masses that are larger than in the CMSSM.