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First Dark Matter Search Results from the LUX-ZEPLIN (LZ) Experiment
J Aalbers1,2, D S Akerib1,2, C W Akerlof3
1SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, Menlo Park, California 94025-7015, USA.
Physical Review Letters
|August 11, 2023
Summary
The LUX-ZEPLIN experiment searched for dark matter particles called weakly interacting massive particles (WIMPs). The experiment found no WIMP signals, setting new limits on WIMP interactions with atomic nuclei.
Area of Science:
- Particle Physics
- Cosmology
- Astrophysics
Background:
- Dark matter remains one of the most significant mysteries in modern physics.
- Weakly Interacting Massive Particles (WIMPs) are leading candidates for dark matter.
- Detecting WIMPs requires highly sensitive experiments shielded from background radiation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To conduct the first search for WIMPs using the LUX-ZEPLIN (LZ) dark matter detector.
- To set new limits on WIMP-nucleon and WIMP-proton cross sections.
- To probe WIMP masses above 9 GeV/c².
Main Methods:
- Utilized a dual-phase xenon time projection chamber at the Sanford Underground Research Facility.
- Collected data with a fiducial mass of 5.5 t over 60 live days.
- Performed a profile-likelihood ratio analysis to distinguish potential WIMP signals from background events.
Main Results:
- The LZ experiment's data were consistent with a background-only hypothesis, indicating no WIMP detection.
- New exclusion limits were established for spin-independent WIMP-nucleon, spin-dependent WIMP-neutron, and spin-dependent WIMP-proton cross sections.
- The most stringent limit was placed on spin-independent scattering for WIMPs with a mass of 36 GeV/c², excluding cross sections above 9.2×10⁻⁴⁸ cm² at 90% confidence level.
Conclusions:
- The LZ experiment has provided the most sensitive WIMP search results to date for certain mass ranges.
- The lack of a WIMP signal places constraints on popular dark matter models.
- Future analyses with increased exposure will further enhance the sensitivity of the LZ experiment.
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