Matrix element analyses of dark matter scattering and annihilation

TL;DR

This paper systematically catalogs matrix element results for dark matter interactions, detailing their spin, velocity, and momentum dependencies, and highlighting cases with deviations from standard assumptions.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive compilation of matrix elements for dark matter scattering and annihilation, clarifying interaction types and interference effects.

Findings

Identifies interactions with spin-dependent and spin-independent scattering.

Classifies interactions by velocity and momentum suppression.

Highlights scenarios with deviations from standard dark matter interaction assumptions.

Abstract

We provide a compendium of results at the level of matrix elements for a systematic study of dark matter scattering and annihilation. We identify interactions that yield spin-dependent and spin-independent scattering and specify whether the interactions are velocity- and/or momentum-suppressed. We identify the interactions that lead to s-wave or p-wave annihilation, and those that are chirality-suppressed. We also list the interaction structures that can interfere in scattering and annihilation processes. Using these results, we point out situations in which deviations from the standard lore are obtained.