Perspectives of dark matter searches with antideuterons

TL;DR

This paper reviews the potential of antideuterons as a promising indirect detection channel for dark matter, discussing production, propagation, and experimental prospects with AMS and GAPS.

Contribution

It provides an updated analysis of antideuteron flux predictions considering solar modulation and current experimental constraints, highlighting future detection capabilities.

Findings

Antideuterons offer a promising signal for dark matter detection.

Solar modulation models significantly affect flux predictions.

Current experiments can constrain dark matter models with antiproton data.

Abstract

The search for an excess of antideuterons in the cosmic rays flux has been proposed as a very promising channel for dark matter indirect detection, especially for WIMPs with a low or intermediate mass. With the development of the AMS experiment and the proposal of a future dedicated experiment, i.e. the General Antiparticle Spectrometer (GAPS), there are exciting possibilities for a dark matter detection in the near future. We give an overview on the principal issues related both to the antideuterons production in dark matter annihilation reactions and to their propagation through the interstellar medium and the heliosphere, with a particular focus on the impact of various solar modulation models on the flux at Earth. Lastly, we provide an updated calculation of the reaching capabilities for current and future experiments compatible with the constraints on the dark matter annihilation cross section imposed by the antiproton measurements of PAMELA.