XENONnT and LUX-ZEPLIN constraints on DSNB-boosted dark matter

Abstract

We consider a scenario in which dark matter particles are accelerated to semi-relativistic velocities through their scattering with the Diffuse Supernova Neutrino Background. Such a subdominant, but more energetic dark matter component can be then detected via its scattering on the electrons and nucleons inside direct detection experiments. This opens up the possibility to probe the sub-GeV mass range, a region of parameter space that is usually not accessible at such facilities. We analyze current data from the XENONnT and LUX-ZEPLIN experiments and we obtain novel constraints on the scattering cross sections of sub-GeV boosted dark matter with both nucleons and electrons. We also highlight the importance of carefully taking into account Earth's attenuation effects as well as the finite nuclear size into the analysis. By comparing our results to other existing constraints, we show that these effects lead to improved and more robust constraints.

Light vector mediators at direct detection experiments

“…Dark Matter (DM) Direct Detection (DD) experiments [1,2], although primarily designed for DM searches, have been recently recognized as favorable facilities to probe new physics beyond the weakly interacting massive particles (WIMPs) paradigm [3]. Indeed, and despite the so far eluding WIMP detection, the latest generation of DM DD experiments -including low-threshold (E thr = 1 keV) dual-phase liquid xenon (LXe) detectors developed by the XENON (Italy) [4][5][6], LUX-ZEPLIN (LZ) in the U.S.A. [7][8][9], and PandaX (China) [10][11][12] collaborations -have reached world-leading sensitivities also on alternative physics beyond the SM (BSM), for instance boosted-DM scenarios [13,14], dark photons [15], axion-like particles [16], novel hidden sectors [17], fermionic absorption DM [18] and gravitational waves [19]. The physics program of DD facilities will continue and intensify with nextgeneration detectors [3,20,21] such as those planned by the DARWIN Collaboration [22] that aspire to achieve very low sensitivities leveraging its multi-ton exposure, low background and low threshold.…”