Closing the window on $\sim$GeV Dark Matter with moderate ($\sim$$\mu$b) interaction with nucleons

TL;DR

This paper enhances constraints on sub-GeV dark matter interactions with nucleons, closing previous gaps in the 300 MeV to 100 GeV mass range for cross sections around a microbarn, based on DAMIC and XQC data.

Contribution

It provides improved limits on dark matter-nucleon cross sections in the 300 MeV to 100 GeV mass range, closing a previously open window for moderate interaction strengths.

Findings

Limits on DM-nucleon cross section are tightened to about 1 μb.

The window for dark matter masses 300 MeV to 100 GeV is closed.

Results assume standard velocity distribution of dark matter.

Abstract

We improve limits on the spin-independent scattering cross section of Dark Matter on nucleons, for DM in the 300 MeV -- 100 GeV mass range, based on the DAMIC and XQC experiments. Our results close the window which previously existed in this mass range, for a DM-nucleon cross section of order $\approx \mu$b, assuming the standard velocity distribution.