Probing Sub-GeV Mass Strongly Interacting Dark Matter with a Low-Threshold Surface Experiment

Area of Science:

• Particle Physics
• Astrophysics
• Cosmology

Background:

• Direct dark matter searches typically occur underground to shield detectors from cosmic rays.
• Strongly Interacting Massive Particles (SIMPs) interacting with nucleons pose unique challenges for traditional detection methods due to potential energy loss in shielding.
• Surface-based experiments offer an alternative approach for detecting certain dark matter candidates like SIMPs.

Purpose of the Study:

• To constrain the parameter space of strongly interacting massive particles (SIMPs) as a dark matter candidate.
• To evaluate the efficacy of a surface-based detector for SIMP searches.
• To establish limits on SIMP-nucleon cross sections using real experimental data.

Main Methods:

• Utilized data from the ν-cleus detector, a low-threshold cryogenic detector situated on Earth's surface.
• Analyzed detector response to potential SIMP interactions with nucleons.
• Compared experimental results with theoretical predictions for SIMP interactions.

Main Results:

• Placed constraints on dark matter in the form of SIMPs interacting via nuclear-scale cross sections.
• Excluded SIMP-nucleon cross section values up to approximately 10^-27 cm^2 for SIMP masses above 100 MeV.
• Demonstrated the viability of surface-based experiments for SIMP detection.

Conclusions:

• Surface-based experiments are advantageous for searching for SIMPs due to reduced energy loss from shielding.
• The study provides significant constraints on SIMP properties, narrowing down possibilities for dark matter composition.
• This research contributes to the ongoing effort to identify the nature of dark matter.