One Model Explains DAMA/LIBRA, CoGENT, CDMS, and XENON

TL;DR

This paper suggests that the signals reported by various dark matter detection experiments can be explained by neutron-induced backgrounds, challenging the interpretation of these signals as evidence of dark matter.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive analysis showing that current experimental claims of dark matter detection may be explained by neutron backgrounds, offering a new interpretation of existing data.

Findings

Discrepancies between neutron backgrounds and experimental claims

Neutron physics under-recognized in dark matter experiments

All signals could be explained by neutron-induced events

Abstract

Many experiments seek dark matter by detecting relatively low energy nuclear recoils. Yet since events from ordinary physics with energies in the 1-100 KeV range are commonplace, all claims of signals or their absence hinge on exhaustive calibrations and background rejection. We document many curious and consistent discrepancies between the backgrounds which neutrons can produce versus the picture of neutrons and claims of neutron calibration found in dark matter literature. Much of the actual physics of neutrons is either under-recognized or under-reported, opening up new interpretations of current data. All signals seen so far, including those presented tentatively such as CoGENT, or the bold claims and time dependence of DAMA/LIBRA, appear to be consistent with neutron-induced backgrounds. At the same time it is the burden of proof of experimental groups to support their claims no possible background could matter, not ours. The existing hypotheses about backgrounds stated by experiments, accepted at face value and as published, make possible a variety of neutron-induced events to be registered as dark matter signals.