Probing Inelastic Signatures of Dark Matter Detection via Polarized Nucleus

TL;DR

This paper explores how polarized nuclear targets can enhance the detection of inelastic dark matter interactions, considering effects like dark matter splitting and the Migdal effect to improve sensitivity in direct detection experiments.

Contribution

It introduces the use of polarized-target scattering and the polarized triple-differential event rate to better study inelastic dark matter signatures, addressing key experimental challenges.

Findings

Polarized targets improve inelastic dark matter detection sensitivity.

The polarized triple-differential event rate reveals detailed angular and energy dependencies.

Considering the Migdal effect enhances detection prospects for light dark matter.

Abstract

We investigate the inelastic signatures of dark matter-nucleus interactions, explicitly focusing on the ramifications of polarization, dark matter splitting, and the Migdal effect. Direct detection experiments, crucial for testing the existence of dark matter, encounter formidable obstacles such as indomitable neutrino backgrounds and the elusive determination of dark matter spin. To overcome these challenges, we explore the potential of polarized-target dark matter scattering, examining the impact of nonvanishing mass splitting and the role of the Migdal effect in detecting light dark matter. Our analysis demonstrates the valuable utility of the polarized triple-differential event rate as an effective tool for studying inelastic dark matter. It enables us to investigate both angular and energy dependencies, providing valuable insights into the scattering process.