Direct detection of sub-GeV dark matter

2011/08/31 by Rouven Essig, Jeremy Mardon, Tomer Volansky · 20 citations
Physics and Astronomy · #Dark Matter and Cosmic Phenomena #Dark matter #Particle Detector Development and Performance #Particle physics #Particle physics theoretical and experimental studies #Physics #astro-ph.CO #hep-ex #hep-ph

paper · pdf · doi:10.1103/physrevd.85.076007

published as Phys.Rev. D85 (2012) 076007 · 9 pages. Updated figure and references. Freeze-in region corrected. Other minor clarifications

arxiv created 2012/03/01 · openalex publication_date 2012/04/09 · arxiv updated 2012/06/01 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/08/05

Abstract

Direct detection strategies are proposed for dark matter particles with MeV to GeV mass. In this largely unexplored mass range, dark matter scattering with electrons can cause single-electron ionization signals, which are detectable with current technology. Ultraviolet photons, individual ions, and heat are interesting alternative signals. Focusing on ionization, we calculate the expected dark matter scattering rates and estimate the sensitivity of possible experiments. Backgrounds that may be relevant are discussed. Theoretically interesting models may be within reach using existing data and ongoing direct detection experiments. Significant improvements in sensitivity should be possible with dedicated experiments, opening up a window to new regions in dark matter parameter space.

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Cited by

• Measuring the local dark matter density in the laboratory
• Halo-Independent Analysis of Direct Dark Matter Detection Through Electron Scattering
• How blind are underground and surface detectors to strongly interacting dark matter?
• Dark matter-electron scattering in dielectrics
• Dark matter and the XENON1T electron recoil excess
• Reviving millicharged dark matter for 21-cm cosmology
• Millicharged cosmic rays and low recoil detectors
• Present and future status of light dark matter models from cosmic-ray electron upscattering
• Coherent scattering of low mass dark matter from optically trapped sensors
• Two distinct components of the delayed single electron noise in liquid xenon emission detectors
• Crystal responses to general dark matter-electron interactions
• Impact of freeze-in on dark matter isocurvature
• SENSEI: Characterization of Single-Electron Events Using a Skipper Charge-Coupled Device
• Direct detection of bound states of asymmetric dark matter
• Detectability of Light Dark Matter with Superfluid Helium
• Minimal decaying Dark Matter and the LHC
• Dark matter interpretation of excesses in multiple direct detection experiments
• Directional dark matter detection in anisotropic Dirac materials
• A method for directional detection of dark matter using spectroscopy of crystal defects
• The cosmology of sub-MeV dark matter