Discussing direct search of dark matter particles in the Minimal Supersymmetric extension of the Standard Model with light neutralinos

TL;DR

This paper reanalyzes the viability of light neutralinos as dark matter candidates within the MSSM, considering new experimental data, and finds that they remain consistent with several experimental hints and constraints, with a lower mass bound of 7-8 GeV.

Contribution

The study provides an updated analysis of light neutralinos in the MSSM considering recent experimental data, reaffirming their compatibility with dark matter signals and constraints.

Findings

Light neutralinos can still explain DAMA/LIBRA data.

Neutralino mass lower bound is 7-8 GeV.

Recent Tevatron and B-factories data have limited impact on neutralino viability.

Abstract

We examine the status of light neutralinos in an effective Minimal Supersymmetric extension of the Standard Model (MSSM) at the electroweak scale which was considered in the past and discussed in terms of the available data of direct searches for dark matter (DM) particles. Our reanalysis is prompted by new measurements at the Tevatron and B-factories which might potentially provide significant constraints on the MSSM model. Here we examine in detail all these new data and show that the present published results from the Tevatron and B-factories have only a mild effect on the original light neutralino population. This population, which fits quite well the DAMA/LIBRA annual modulation data, would also agree with the preliminary results of CDMS, CoGeNT and CRESST, should these data, which are at present only hints or excesses of events over the expected backgrounds, be interpreted as authentic signals of DM. For the neutralino mass we find a lower bound of 7-8 GeV. Our results differ from some recent conclusions by other authors because of a few crucial points which we try to single out and elucidate.