A calculation for vector dark matter direct detection

TL;DR

This paper calculates the elastic scattering cross section of vector dark matter with nucleons using effective field theory, focusing on Kaluza-Klein photon dark matter in extra dimension models, and finds larger cross sections than previous estimates.

Contribution

It introduces a new calculation method for vector dark matter-nucleon scattering cross sections, applying it to Kaluza-Klein photon dark matter in extra dimensions.

Findings

Cross sections are larger than previous estimates.

Method based on effective field theory provides a systematic approach.

Application to Kaluza-Klein photon dark matter in minimal universal extra dimensions.

Abstract

We evaluate the elastic scattering cross section of vector dark matter with nucleon based on the method of effective field theory. The dark matter is assumed to behave as a vector particle under the Lorentz transformation and to interact with colored particles including quarks in the Standard Model. After formulating general formulae for the scattering cross sections, we apply them to the case of the first Kaluza-Klein photon dark matter in the minimal universal extra dimension model. The resultant cross sections are found to be larger than those calculated in previous literature.