An effective field theory analysis of the first LUX dark matter search
File(s)2003.11141v1.pdf (1.41 MB)
Working paper
Author(s)
Type
Working Paper
Abstract
The Large Underground Xenon (LUX) dark matter search was a 250-kg active mass
dual-phase time projection chamber that operated by detecting light and
ionization signals from particles incident on a xenon target. In December 2015,
LUX reported a minimum 90% upper C.L. of 6e-46 cm^2 on the spin-independent
WIMP-nucleon elastic scattering cross section based on a 1.4e4 kg*day exposure
in its first science run. Tension between experiments and the absence of a
definitive positive detection suggest it would be prudent to search for WIMPs
outside the standard spin-independent/spin-dependent paradigm. Recent
theoretical work has identified a complete basis of 14 independent effective
field theory (EFT) operators to describe WIMP-nucleon interactions. In addition
to spin-independent and spin-dependent nuclear responses, these operators can
produce novel responses such as angular-momentum-dependent and spin-orbit
couplings. Here we report on a search for all 14 of these EFT couplings with
data from LUX's first science run. Limits are placed on each coupling as a
function of WIMP mass.
dual-phase time projection chamber that operated by detecting light and
ionization signals from particles incident on a xenon target. In December 2015,
LUX reported a minimum 90% upper C.L. of 6e-46 cm^2 on the spin-independent
WIMP-nucleon elastic scattering cross section based on a 1.4e4 kg*day exposure
in its first science run. Tension between experiments and the absence of a
definitive positive detection suggest it would be prudent to search for WIMPs
outside the standard spin-independent/spin-dependent paradigm. Recent
theoretical work has identified a complete basis of 14 independent effective
field theory (EFT) operators to describe WIMP-nucleon interactions. In addition
to spin-independent and spin-dependent nuclear responses, these operators can
produce novel responses such as angular-momentum-dependent and spin-orbit
couplings. Here we report on a search for all 14 of these EFT couplings with
data from LUX's first science run. Limits are placed on each coupling as a
function of WIMP mass.
Date Issued
2020-03-24
Citation
2020
Publisher
arXiv
Copyright Statement
© 2020 The Author(s)
Sponsor
Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC)
Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC)
Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC)
Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC)
The Royal Society
Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC)
Identifier
http://arxiv.org/abs/2003.11141v1
Grant Number
ST/H000992/1
ST/K006428/1 DMUK
ST/K001604/1
ST/K003208/1 DMUK
IE120804
ST/P00377X/1
Subjects
astro-ph.CO
astro-ph.CO
Notes
11 pages, 6 figures
Publication Status
Published