Simplified Models for Dark Matter and Missing Energy Searches at the LHC

TL;DR

This paper reviews the use of simplified models for interpreting missing energy searches at the LHC, emphasizing their utility, limitations, and the importance of including mediator particles for a broad understanding of dark matter signals.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive overview of simplified models for dark matter searches at the LHC, highlighting their advantages, limitations, and the significance of mediator particles in interpretation.

Findings

Simplified models effectively interpret missing energy signals at the LHC.

Including mediator particles is crucial for accurate dark matter detection.

Experimental progress has introduced new signatures and search strategies.

Abstract

The study of collision events with missing energy as searches for the dark matter (DM) component of the Universe are an essential part of the extensive program looking for new physics at the LHC. Given the unknown nature of DM, the interpretation of such searches should be made broad and inclusive. This report reviews the usage of simplified models in the interpretation of missing energy searches. We begin with a brief discussion of the utility and limitation of the effective field theory approach to this problem. The bulk of the report is then devoted to several different simplified models and their signatures, including s-channel and t-channel processes. A common feature of simplified models for DM is the presence of additional particles that mediate the interactions between the Standard Model and the particle that makes up DM. We consider these in detail and emphasize the importance of their inclusion as final states in any coherent interpretation. We also review some of the experimental progress in the field, new signatures, and other aspects of the searches themselves. We conclude with comments and recommendations regarding the use of simplified models in Run-II of the LHC.