Light Dark Matter Annihilation and Scattering in LHC Detectors

TL;DR

This paper explores how light scalar and pseudoscalar dark matter could produce detectable signals at the LHC through mediator decays and scattering, expanding the search for light dark matter in collider experiments.

Contribution

It provides a systematic analysis of light dark matter models with Higgs and weak-scale mediators, including cosmological bounds and potential LHC signals involving scattering-induced jets.

Findings

LHC can detect very light dark matter across a wide mass range.

Dark matter production via mediator decays can lead to observable nuclear recoil signals.

Scattering processes inside detectors can produce jets, offering new detection channels.

Abstract

We systematically study models with light scalar and pseudoscalar dark matter candidates and their potential signals at the LHC. First, we derive cosmological bounds on models with the Standard Model Higgs mediator and with a new weak-scale mediator. Next, we study two processes inspired by the indirect and direct detection process topologies, now happening inside the LHC detectors. We find that LHC can observe very light dark matter over a huge mass range if it is produced in mediator decays and then scatters with the detector material to generate jets in the nuclear recoil.