Model-independent determination of the Migdal effect via photoabsorption

Abstract

Experimental searches for low mass (sub-GeV) dark matter aim to increase their sensitivity by using the Migdal effect, a phenomenon where dark-matter/nucleus collisions excite the atomic electron cloud. However, this effect is difficult to calculate theoretically or measure directly. In this Suggestion, the authors derive a relation between the Migdal effect and photoabsorption, which can be measured, allowing them to avoid theoretical uncertainties and make model-independent predictions for detector materials used in ongoing experiments.

Topics & Concepts