Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 28, 2026

Setting Limits on Supersymmetry Using Simplified Models
Published on: November 15, 2013
Light weakly interacting massive particles
1Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), 475 Portola Plaza, Los Angeles, CA 90095, United States of America.
Abstract:
Light weakly interacting massive particles (WIMPs) are dark matter particle candidates with weak scale interaction with the known particles, and mass in the GeV to tens of GeV range. Hints of light WIMPs have appeared in several dark matter searches in the last decade. The unprecedented possible coincidence into tantalizingly close regions of mass and cross section of four separate direct detection experimental hints and a potential indirect detection signal in gamma rays from the galactic center, aroused considerable interest in our field. Even if these hints did not so far result in a discovery, they have had a significant impact in our field. Here we review the evidence for and against light WIMPs as dark matter candidates and discuss future relevant experiments and observations.
Related Concept Videos
Reduced Mass Coordinates: Isolated Two-body Problem
First Law: Particles in One-dimensional Equilibrium
The Wave Nature of Light
The de Broglie Wavelength
First Law: Particles in Two-dimensional Equilibrium
Newton's first law tells us about...
Van der Waals Interactions

