Probing New Physics from Neutrinos at Dark Matter Direct Detection Experiments

TL;DR

This paper explores innovative methods to detect new physics beyond the Standard Model using neutrino interactions in dark matter direct detection experiments, including the Migdal effect, neutrino-electron scattering, and dark sector couplings.

Contribution

It introduces novel experimental signatures and theoretical scenarios for probing beyond Standard Model physics through neutrino interactions at dark matter detectors.

Findings

Migdal effect signatures from solar neutrinos could be observed.

Radioactive sources near detectors may reveal neutrino anapole moments.

Neutrinos coupled to a dark sector could show enhanced electromagnetic properties.

Abstract

Dark matter direct detection experiments have become excellent low-energy neutrino detectors. We present a few novel ideas to probe Beyond the Standard Model physics from neutrinos at these experiments. First, we discuss signatures arising from the Migdal effect induced by solar neutrinos via Coherent Elastic Neutrino Nucleus Scatterings (CE$\nu$NS) at the detector. Second, we discuss that placing a radioactive source near a liquid xenon detector may allow to observe the anapole moment of neutrinos expected in the Standard Model via neutrino-electron scattering. Third, we point out that neutrinos coupled to a light dark sector charged under a dark $U(1)'$ symmetry could feature enhanced electromagnetic properties at the loop-level. We further discuss the testability of this scenario with direct detection experiments sensitive to solar neutrinos.