Loop quantum effects on direct detection prediction in two-scalar dark matter scenario

TL;DR

This paper examines how quantum loop corrections in a two-scalar dark matter model influence direct detection prospects, showing that these effects can enhance the scattering cross section, making dark matter more detectable.

Contribution

It demonstrates that quantum loop effects can significantly increase the dark matter-nucleon cross section in a two-scalar model, altering detection predictions.

Findings

Loop effects can raise the cross section above the neutrino floor.

Certain parameter regions become detectable due to quantum corrections.

Two-scalar model evades direct detection bounds at tree level, but not with loops.

Abstract

We investigate the effect of quantum corrections on the elastic scattering cross section of dark matter off nucleus in two-scalar dark matter model. Among two extra singlet scalars in the two-scalar model, the lighter one is stable and plays the role of dark matter candidate and the heavier one contributes in dark matter co-annihilation processes in thermal history of the early universe. It is already known that the two-scalar model at tree level, unlike the single-scalar dark matter model, can easily evade the bounds from direct detection (DD) experiments. The claim here is that taking into account the loop effects, in some regions of the parameter space, the DM-nucleon cross section becomes larger than the tree level contribution. Therefore, loop effects move the regions which were below the neutrino floor at tree level, up to the regions which are detectable by future DD experiments.