A novel approach to derive halo-independent limits on dark matter properties

TL;DR

This paper introduces a new method to set upper limits on dark matter-nucleon scattering cross sections that are independent of the dark matter velocity distribution, combining direct and indirect detection data to constrain particle physics properties.

Contribution

It presents a novel approach that directly constrains dark matter particle physics properties without relying on astrophysical velocity distribution models.

Findings

Halo-independent upper limits on spin-independent cross section ~10^{-43} cm^2

Halo-independent upper limits on spin-dependent cross section ~10^{-37} cm^2

Limits are strong for dark matter around 1 TeV annihilating into W+W- or bar{b} channels.

Abstract

We propose a method that allows to place an upper limit on the dark matter elastic scattering cross section with nucleons which is independent of the velocity distribution. Our approach combines null results from direct detection experiments with indirect searches at neutrino telescopes, and goes beyond previous attempts to remove astrophysical uncertainties in that it directly constrains the particle physics properties of the dark matter. The resulting halo-independent upper limits on the scattering cross section of dark matter are remarkably strong and reach $\sigma_{\text{SI}}^{p} \lesssim 10^{-43} \, (10^{-42})~\text{cm}^2$ and $\sigma_{\text{SD}}^{p} \lesssim 10^{-37} \, (3\times 10^{-37 })~\text{cm}^2$, for dark matter particles of $m_{\text{DM}}\sim 1~\text{TeV}$ annihilating into $W^+W^-$ ($b\bar b$), assuming $\rho_\text{loc}=0.3\text{ GeV}/\text{cm}^3$.