An Elusive Vector Dark Matter

TL;DR

This paper proposes that vector boson dark matter could evade detection in direct searches due to destructive interference effects in scattering, explained through a modified Higgs portal model with exotic quarks.

Contribution

It introduces a novel scenario where destructive interference suppresses dark matter signals, providing a new perspective on null results in direct detection experiments.

Findings

Significant cancellation in dark-matter-nucleon scattering cross-section.

Suppressed signals make future direct detection experiments unlikely to observe dark matter.

Modified Higgs portal model with exotic quarks explains the suppression mechanism.

Abstract

Even though the sensitivity of direct dark matter search experiments reach the level about $10^{-45}~{\rm cm}^2$, there is no confident signal of dark matter been observed. We point out that, if dark matter is a vector boson, the null result in direct dark matter search experiments may due to the destructive effects in dark-matter-nucleon elastic scattering. We illustrate the scenario using a modified Higgs portal model that includes exotic quarks. The significant cancellation can occur for certain mass gap between heavy quark and dark matter. As a result, the spin-independent dark-matter-nucleon elastic scattering is so suppressed that the future direct search experiments can hardly observe the signal of dark matter.