# Optimized velocity distributions for direct dark matter detection

## TL;DR

This paper introduces a method to determine the range of possible dark matter signal events in direct detection experiments without assuming a specific velocity distribution, enabling more robust comparisons and constraints.

## Contribution

The authors develop a novel approach to calculate maximum and minimum dark matter signal rates independently of velocity distribution assumptions, applicable to various experimental scenarios.

## Key findings

- Derived halo-independent upper limits on cross sections.
- Confronted detection claims with null results in a halo-independent way.
- Assessed future detection prospects given current null results.

## Abstract

We present a method to calculate, without making assumptions about the local dark matter velocity distribution, the maximal and minimal number of signal events in a direct detection experiment given a set of constraints from other direct detection experiments and/or neutrino telescopes. The method also allows to determine the velocity distribution that optimizes the signal rates. We illustrate our method with three concrete applications: i) to derive a halo-independent upper limit on the cross section from a set of null results, ii) to confront in a halo-independent way a detection claim to a set of null results and iii) to assess, in a halo-independent manner, the prospects for detection in a future experiment given a set of current null results.