Reevaluation of spin-dependent WIMP-proton interactions as an explanation of the DAMA data

TL;DR

This paper reevaluates whether spin-dependent WIMP-proton interactions can explain DAMA's annual modulation signal, considering various coupling types and scattering modes, and finds strong tension with other experiments' null results.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive reanalysis of spin-dependent WIMP models in light of DAMA data, including different couplings and inelastic scattering scenarios.

Findings

DAMA signal is in strong tension with PICASSO and KIMS null results.

Different coupling types and scattering modes do not reconcile DAMA with other experiments.

Reevaluation suggests spin-dependent WIMP explanations are unlikely given current constraints.

Abstract

We reexamine the interpretation of the annual modulation signal observed by the DAMA experiment as due to WIMPs with a spin-dependent coupling mostly to protons. We consider both axial-vector and pseudo-scalar couplings, and elastic as well as endothermic and exothermic inelastic scattering. We conclude that the DAMA signal is in strong tension with null results of other direct detection experiments, particularly PICASSO and KIMS.