Antideuterons as a Signature of Supersymmetric Dark Matter

TL;DR

This paper explores the potential of low-energy antideuterons as a promising indirect signature of supersymmetric dark matter, offering an alternative to antiproton measurements hindered by uncertainties.

Contribution

It proposes that low-energy antideuterons could serve as a clearer indicator of supersymmetric relics, highlighting their detection as a new avenue for dark matter research.

Findings

Future AMS experiment could detect a dozen antideuterons above a few GeV/n

Low-energy antideuterons are less affected by spallation, making them better signals

Detection of low-energy antideuterons could indicate neutralino dark matter

Abstract

Once the energy spectrum of the secondary component is well understood, measurements of the antiproton cosmic-ray flux at the Earth will be a powerful way to indirectly probe for the existence of supersymmetric relics in the galactic halo. Unfortunately, it is still spoilt by considerable theoretical uncertainties. As shown in this work, searches for low-energy antideuterons appear in the mean time as a plausible alternative, worth being explored. Above a few GeV/n, a dozen spallation antideuterons should be collected by the future AMS experiment on board ISSA. For energies less than about 3 GeV/n, the antideuteron spallation component becomes negligible and may be supplanted by a potential supersymmetric signal. If a few low-energy antideuterons are discovered, this should be seriously taken as a clue for the existence of massive neutralinos in the Milky Way.