Use of Superfluid Helium to Observe Directionality of Galactic Dark Matter

TL;DR

This paper explores how superfluid helium can be used to detect the directionality of galactic dark matter particles through anisotropic quasiparticle propagation, potentially enhancing WIMP search sensitivity.

Contribution

It demonstrates that superfluid helium can reveal dark matter directionality at low recoil energies, extending detection capabilities into the neutrino floor.

Findings

Anisotropic quasiparticle propagation observed in superfluid helium.

Dark matter recoil detection possible at energies below a few keV.

Potential to improve WIMP search sensitivity into the neutrino floor.

Abstract

The quasiparticle propagation away from the track of a highly ionizing particle in superfluid helium at low temperatures has previously been shown to exhibit anisotropy. We discuss the mechanism responsible for this behavior and show that it occurs for nuclear scattering by dark matter for recoil energies down to a few keV, and perhaps lower. This makes it possible to extend WIMP searches with interaction cross sections that reach into the neutrino floor in a meaningful energy range.