Impact of nucleon matrix element uncertainties on the interpretation of direct and indirect dark matter search results

Understand

We study in detail the impact of the current uncertainty in nucleon matrix elements on the sensitivity of direct and indirect experimental techniques for dark matter detection.

• We perform two scans in the framework of the cMSSM: one using recent values of the pion-sigma term obtained from Lattice QCD, and the other using values derived from experimental measurements.
• The two choices correspond to extreme values quoted in the literature and reflect the current tension between different ways of obtaining information about the structure of the nucleon.
• All other inputs in the scans, astrophysical and from particle physics, are kept unchanged.