Dark Moments and the DAMA-CoGeNT Puzzle

TL;DR

This paper explores how velocity-dependent dark matter interactions, especially through multipole moments, can reconcile the DAMA and CoGeNT signals with null results, considering experimental uncertainties.

Contribution

It introduces the impact of velocity-dependent scattering via dark multipole moments on experimental signal consistency, offering a new perspective on dark matter detection.

Findings

Velocity dependence improves fit to DAMA and CoGeNT signals.

Accounting for uncertainties allows compatibility with null experiments.

Velocity-dependent models outperform standard scattering assumptions.

Abstract

We consider the velocity dependence arising from scattering through dark multipole moments, and its effects on the consistency of the signals observed by DAMA and CoGeNT with the dark matter hypothesis. We focus on the effects of the experimental uncertainties on the fits, and show that the two experiments combined favor dark matter scattering with a velocity-dependent cross-section over standard velocity and spin-independent scattering. When appropriate uncertainties are taken into account, we show that agreement of the two signals with each other and with the results of null experiments can be obtained.