Prospects for indirect dark matter searches with MeV photons

Understand

Over the past decade, extensive studies have been undertaken to search for photon signals from dark matter annihilation or decay for dark matter particle masses above $\sim1$ GeV.

• However, due to the lacking sensitivity of current experiments at MeV-GeV energies, sometimes dubbed the 'MeV gap', dark matter models with MeV to sub-GeV particle masses have received little attention so far.
• Various proposed MeV missions (like, e.g., e-ASTROGAM or AMEGO) are aimed at closing this gap in the mid- or long-term future.
• This, and the absence of clear dark matter signals in the GeV-TeV range, makes it relevant to carefully reconsider the expected experimental instrumental sensitivities in this mass range.