Revisiting the direct detection of dark matter in simplified models

TL;DR

This paper re-evaluates the loop-induced WIMP-nucleon scattering cross sections in simplified dark matter models and assesses constraints from the latest direct detection experiments, considering various dark matter types and mediators.

Contribution

It provides a detailed numerical analysis of loop-induced scattering in simplified models, expanding understanding of direct detection constraints beyond tree-level interactions.

Findings

Loop-induced cross sections can be significant despite tree-level suppression.

Xenon1T data constrains dark matter and mediator masses in these models.

Indirect detection and collider results complement direct detection constraints.

Abstract

In this work we numerically re-examine the loop-induced WIMP-nucleon scattering cross section for the simplified dark matter models and the constraint set by the latest direct detection experiment. We consider a fermion, scalar or vector dark matter component from five simplified models with leptophobic spin-0 mediators coupled only to Standard Model quarks and dark matter particles. The tree-level WIMP-nucleon cross sections in these models are all momentum-suppressed. We calculate the non-suppressed spin-independent WIMP-nucleon cross sections from loop diagrams and investigate the constrained space of dark matter mass and mediator mass by Xenon1T. The constraints from indirect detection and collider search are also discussed.