Extending the Dark Matter Reach of Water Cherenkov Detectors using Jupiter

TL;DR

This paper introduces a novel method for water Cherenkov detectors to detect GeV-scale dark matter by utilizing Jupiter as a capture target, extending the detection reach below solar evaporation mass.

Contribution

It demonstrates that Jupiter can effectively capture light dark matter, providing the first sensitivity estimates for GeV-scale annihilating DM in Jupiter with implications for existing and upcoming detectors.

Findings

Hyper-K can reach spin-dependent cross sections of 2×10⁻³⁵ cm² for DM below 2 GeV

Jupiter's characteristics enable better DM capture than the Sun for certain mass ranges

Upcoming detectors like Super-K ORCA and IceCube-Upgrade can provide complementary bounds.

Abstract

We propose the first method for water Cherenkov detectors to constrain GeV-scale dark matter (DM) below the solar evaporation mass. While previous efforts have highlighted the Sun and Earth as DM capture targets, we demonstrate that Jupiter is a viable target. Jupiter's unique characteristics, such as its lower core temperature and significant gravitational potential, allow it to capture and retain light DM more effectively than the Sun, particularly in the mass range below 4 GeV where direct detection sensitivity diminishes. Our calculations provide the first sensitivity estimates to GeV-scale annihilating DM within Jupiter, predicting Hyper-K can reach spin dependent cross sections as low as $\sigma_{p\chi}^{\mathrm{SD}}=2\times 10^{-35}\mathrm{cm}^2$ for DM masses below 2 GeV. This surpasses current solar limits and direct detection results. We additionally provide estimates for Super-K ORCA, and the IceCube-Upgrade, showing that these experiments could provide complimentary bounds to direct detection experiments.