Anisotropy of dark matter velocity distribution

TL;DR

This paper investigates how directional dark matter detection can distinguish between isotropic and anisotropic velocity distributions, estimating the necessary conditions and event numbers for effective discrimination using Monte Carlo simulations.

Contribution

It provides the first detailed analysis of the conditions needed to discriminate anisotropic dark matter velocity distributions in directional detection experiments.

Findings

Optimal energy thresholds reduce required events for discrimination.

Approximately 1,000 to 10,000 events are needed for effective discrimination.

Monte Carlo simulations validate the feasibility of anisotropy detection.

Abstract

Direct detection of dark matter with directional sensitivity has the potential to discriminate the dark matter velocity distribution. Especially, it will be suitable to discriminate isotropic distribution from anisotropic one. Analyzing data produced with Monte-Carlo simulation, required conditions for the discrimination is estimated. If energy threshold of detector is optimized, $O(10^3-10^4)$ event number is required to discriminate the anisotropy.