Simplified dark matter top-quark interactions at the LHC

TL;DR

This paper refines and extends LHC constraints on dark matter interactions with top quarks mediated by spin-0 resonances, comparing search strategies and analyzing implications for detection methods and effective theories.

Contribution

It provides improved LHC constraints on DM-top interactions, compares search channels, and discusses the implications for direct detection and effective field theory interpretations.

Findings

Mono-jet searches are more restrictive than MET + tbar t searches.

LHC constraints are compared with direct and indirect detection limits.

The study explores the reach of the 14 TeV LHC for these interactions.

Abstract

Stringent limits on the interactions between dark matter (DM) and the standard model can be set by studying how initial-state or final-state particles recoil against missing transverse energy (MET). In this work, we improve, extend and correct LHC constraints on the interactions between DM and top quarks that are mediated by the exchange of spin-0 s-channel resonances. A comparison of the LHC run-1 sensitivity of the two main search channels is presented, which shows that mono-jet searches are typically more restrictive than the MET + tbar t searches. We furthermore explore the reach of the 14 TeV LHC. The collider constraints are compared to the restrictions arising from direct and indirect detection as well as the DM relic abundance, and we also reflect on effective field theory interpretations of the LHC exclusions.