Complementarity of direct detection experiments in search of light Dark Matter

TL;DR

This paper explores how combining nuclear recoil and Migdal-induced electronic recoil detection methods enhances the search for light Dark Matter in future experiments like XENONnT and SuperCDMS SNOLAB.

Contribution

It introduces a Bayesian framework to identify the parameter space where different detection methods are most effective and highlights their complementarity in constraining Dark Matter properties.

Findings

Different detectors are optimal for different Dark Matter mass ranges.

Combining detection methods improves overall sensitivity to Dark Matter parameters.

Regions of parameter space where multiple detection strategies are complementary.

Abstract

Dark Matter experiments searching for Weakly interacting massive particles (WIMPs) primarily use nuclear recoils (NRs) in their attempt to detect WIMPs. Migdal-induced electronic recoils (ERs) provide additional sensitivity to light Dark Matter with $\mathcal{O}(\text{GeV}/c^2)$ masses. In this work, we use Bayesian inference to find the parameter space where future detectors like XENONnT and SuperCDMS SNOLAB will be able to detect WIMP Dark Matter through NRs, Migdal-induced ERs or a combination thereof. We identify regions where each detector is best at constraining the Dark Matter mass and spin independent cross-section and infer where two or more detection configurations are complementary to constraining these Dark Matter parameters through a combined analysis.