Light weakly interacting massive particles

TL;DR

This paper reviews the evidence and ongoing searches for light WIMPs, a dark matter candidate with weak interactions and masses in the GeV range, highlighting recent experimental hints and future prospects.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive review of the current status of light WIMP research, including experimental hints and future directions.

Findings

Hints of light WIMPs in multiple experiments

Potential gamma-ray signals from the galactic center

Impact of recent experimental results on dark matter research

Abstract

Light WIMPs are dark matter particle candidates with weak scale interaction with the known particles, and mass in the GeV to 10's of GeV range. Hints of light WIMPs have appeared in several dark matter searches in the last decade. The unprecedented possible coincidence into tantalizingly close regions of mass and cross section of four separate direct detection experimental hints and a potential indirect detection signal in gamma rays from the galactic center, aroused considerable interest in our field. Even if these hints did not so far result in a discovery, they have had a significant impact in our field. Here we review the evidence for and against light WIMPs as dark matter candidates and discuss future relevant experiments and observations