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Updated: Feb 26, 2026

Setting Limits on Supersymmetry Using Simplified Models
Published on: November 15, 2013
Limits on Spin-Dependent WIMP-Nucleon Cross Section Obtained from the Complete LUX Exposure
D S Akerib1,2,3, S Alsum4, H M Araújo5
1Case Western Reserve University, Department of Physics, 10900 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio 44106, USA.
The Large Underground Xenon (LUX) experiment set new limits on spin-dependent WIMP-nucleon interactions. These results provide the most sensitive constraint to date on spin-dependent Weakly Interacting Massive Particle-neutron cross sections.
Area of Science:
- Particle Physics
- Cosmology
- Astrophysics
Background:
- Weakly Interacting Massive Particles (WIMPs) are leading dark matter candidates.
- Direct detection experiments aim to observe WIMP interactions with ordinary matter.
- Previous LUX results provided stringent constraints on WIMP-nucleon cross sections.
Purpose of the Study:
- To present experimental constraints on spin-dependent WIMP-nucleon elastic cross sections.
- To improve upon previous LUX spin-dependent results.
- To establish the most sensitive constraint to date on spin-dependent WIMP-neutron interactions.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a total exposure of 129.5 kg yr from the LUX experiment.
- Employed a profile likelihood ratio analysis.
- Operated at the Sanford Underground Research Facility.
Main Results:
- Set 90% C.L. upper limits on spin-dependent WIMP-neutron cross section (σn) to 1.6×10⁻⁴¹ cm².
- Set 90% C.L. upper limits on spin-dependent WIMP-proton cross section (σp) to 5×10⁻⁴⁰ cm² at 35 GeV/c².
- Achieved a sixfold improvement over previous LUX spin-dependent results.
Conclusions:
- The spin-dependent WIMP-neutron limit is the most sensitive constraint to date.
- These results significantly narrow the parameter space for spin-dependent WIMP interactions.
- LUX data continues to push the frontiers of dark matter detection sensitivity.
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