Exploring Direct Detection Suppressed Regions in a Simple 2-Scalar Mediator Model of Scalar Dark Matter

Understand

We explore regions of parameter space that give rise to suppressed direct detection cross sections in a simple model of scalar dark matter with a scalar portal that mixes with the standard model Higgs.

• We found that even this simple model allows considerable room in the parameter space that has not been excluded by direct detection limits.
• A number of effects leading to this result have been previously noted.
• Our main new result explores interference effects between different contributions to DM annihilation when the DM mass is larger than the scalar portal mass.