Maximizing Direct Detection with Highly Interactive Particle Relic Dark Matter
Gilly Elor, Robert McGehee, Aaron Pierce
Abstract
We estimate the maximum direct detection cross section for sub-GeV dark matter (DM) scattering off nucleons. For DM masses in the range 10 keV-100 MeV, cross sections greater than 10^{-36}-10^{-30} cm^{2} seem implausible. We present a DM candidate which realizes this maximum cross section: highly interactive particle relics (HYPERs). After HYPERs freeze-in, a dark sector phase transition decreases the mediator's mass. This increases the HYPER's direct detection cross section without impacting its abundance or measurements of big bang nucleosynthesis and the cosmic microwave background.
Topics & Concepts
PhysicsDark matterCosmic microwave backgroundNuclear physicsNucleonBig Bang nucleosynthesisCross section (physics)AstrophysicsLight dark matterParticle physicsScatteringCosmic background radiationRange (aeronautics)Particle (ecology)NucleosynthesisCosmologyNuclear reactionAstronomyScalar field dark matterDark energyOpticsComposite materialAnisotropyOceanographyGeologyMaterials scienceDark Matter and Cosmic PhenomenaCosmology and Gravitation TheoriesParticle physics theoretical and experimental studies