Constraints On Covariant WIMP-Nucleon Effective Field Theory Interactions from the First Science Run of the LUX-ZEPLIN Experiment

TL;DR

This paper reports new constraints on covariant WIMP-nucleon interactions from the LUX-ZEPLIN experiment, extending previous non-relativistic effective field theory limits with a relativistic approach and analyzing five interaction types.

Contribution

It introduces a relativistic extension to the non-relativistic effective field theory for WIMP-nucleon interactions, providing novel constraints on covariant couplings.

Findings

Set 90% CL exclusion limits on five covariant interaction couplings.

Extended analysis to a relativistic framework beyond previous NREFT recasts.

Utilized 60 live days of data with 5.5-ton fiducial mass.

Abstract

The first science run of the LUX-ZEPLIN (LZ) experiment, a dual-phase xenon time project chamber operating in the Sanford Underground Research Facility in South Dakota, USA, has reported leading limits on spin-independent WIMP-nucleon interactions and interactions described from a non-relativistic effective field theory (NREFT). Using the same 5.5~t fiducial mass and 60 live days of exposure we report on the results of a relativistic extension to the NREFT. We present constraints on couplings from covariant interactions arising from the coupling of vector, axial currents, and electric dipole moments of the nucleon to the magnetic and electric dipole moments of the WIMP which cannot be described by recasting previous results described by an NREFT. Using a profile-likelihood ratio analysis, in an energy region between 0~keV$_\text{nr}$ to 270~keV$_\text{nr}$, we report 90% confidence level exclusion limits on the coupling strength of five interactions in both the isoscalar and isovector bases.