# Effective field theory search for high-energy nuclear recoils using the XENON100 dark matter detector

## TL;DR

This paper re-analyzes XENON100 data using effective field theory to search for high-energy nuclear recoils from WIMPs, setting new limits on WIMP interactions and inelastic scattering models.

## Contribution

It introduces a non-relativistic effective field theory framework to interpret XENON100 data for high-energy nuclear recoils, extending previous analyses.

## Key findings

- No significant excess found over background.
- Set 90% CL exclusion limits on WIMP-nucleon couplings.
- Provided limits on inelastic WIMP scattering models.

## Abstract

We report on WIMP search results in the XENON100 detector using a non-relativistic effective field theory approach. The data from science run II (34 kg $\times$ 224.6 live days) was re-analyzed, with an increased recoil energy interval compared to previous analyses, ranging from $(6.6 - 240)~\mathrm{keV_\mathrm{nr}}$. The data is found to be compatible with the background-only hypothesis. We present 90% confidence level exclusion limits on the coupling constants of WIMP-nucleon effective operators using a binned profile likelihood method. We also consider the case of inelastic WIMP scattering, where incident WIMPs may up-scatter to a higher mass state, and set exclusion limits on this model as well.