Mirror dark matter explanation of the DAMA, CoGeNT and CRESST-II data

TL;DR

This paper proposes that mirror dark matter, a hidden sector with an unbroken gauge interaction, can simultaneously explain signals from DAMA, CoGeNT, and CRESST-II experiments, suggesting a test via diurnal modulation in the Southern Hemisphere.

Contribution

It demonstrates that mirror dark matter models can account for multiple experimental signals, providing a unified explanation within a hidden sector framework.

Findings

Mirror dark matter can explain DAMA, CoGeNT, and CRESST-II data.

A Southern Hemisphere experiment can test the model via diurnal modulation.

The model offers a well-motivated hidden sector explanation for dark matter signals.

Abstract

Dark matter might reside in a hidden sector which contains an unbroken $U(1)'$ gauge interaction kinetically mixed with standard $U(1)_Y$. Mirror dark matter provides a well motivated example of such a theory. We show that the DAMA, CoGeNT and CRESST-II experiments can be simultaneously explained within this hidden sector framework. An experiment in the Southern Hemisphere is needed to test this explanation via a diurnal modulation signal.