A General Analysis of Direct Dark Matter Detection: From Microphysics to Observational Signatures

Understand

Beginning with a set of simplified models for spin-0, spin-$\half$, and spin-1 dark matter candidates using completely general Lorentz invariant and renormalizable Lagrangians, we derive the full set of non-relativistic operators and nuclear matrix elements relevant for direct detection of dark matter, and use these to calculate rates and recoil spectra for scattering on various target nuclei.

• This allows us to explore what high energy physics constraints might be obtainable from direct detection experiments, what degeneracies exist, which operators are ubiquitous and which are unlikely or sub-dominant.
• We find that there are operators which are common to all spins as well operators which are unique to spin-$\half$ and spin-1 and elucidate two new operators which have not been previously considered.
• In addition we demonstrate how recoil energy spectra can distinguish fundamental microphysics if multiple target nuclei are used.