Quantum corrections to the spin-independent cross section in the inert Higgs doublet model

TL;DR

This paper investigates how quantum loop corrections significantly impact the spin-independent dark matter-nucleon cross section in the inert Higgs doublet model, especially near the Higgs resonance region.

Contribution

It provides the first detailed analysis of loop corrections to the dark matter-nucleon cross section in this model, highlighting their importance near the resonance.

Findings

Loop corrections significantly alter the cross section near $m_{DM} \,\sim\, m_h/2$

Quantum effects can enhance or suppress the detection prospects

The results refine predictions for dark matter direct detection experiments.

Abstract

The inert Higgs doublet model is an extension of the standard model with an extra scalar doublet. The extra doublet is $Z_2$ odd while all the other particles are $Z_2$ even, thus the model contains a dark matter candidate. It is known that the spin-independent cross section of the dark matter and the nucleon is highly suppressed for $m_{\text DM} \sim m_h/2$ at the tree level. In this talk, we show the loop corrections give the significant effects in this regime.