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Author Escudero, M.; Witte, S.J.; Hooper, D.
Title Hidden sector dark matter and the Galactic Center gamma-ray excess: a closer look Type Journal Article
Year 2017 Publication Journal of Cosmology and Astroparticle Physics Abbreviated Journal J. Cosmol. Astropart. Phys.
Volume 11 Issue 11 Pages 042 - 29pp
Keywords dark matter experiments; dark matter theory
Abstract Stringent constraints from direct detection experiments and the Large Hadron Collider motivate us to consider models in which the dark matter does not directly couple to the Standard Model, but that instead annihilates into hidden sector particles which ultimately decay through small couplings to the Standard Model. We calculate the gamma-ray emission generated within the context of several such hidden sector models, including those in which the hidden sector couples to the Standard Model through the vector portal (kinetic mixing with Standard Model hypercharge), through the Higgs portal (mixing with the Standard Model Higgs boson), or both. In each case, we identify broad regions of parameter space in which the observed spectrum and intensity of the Galactic Center gamma-ray excess can easily be accommodated, while providing an acceptable thermal relic abundance and remaining consistent with all current constraints. We also point out that cosmic-ray antiproton measurements could potentially discriminate some hidden sector models from more conventional dark matter scenarios.
Address [Escudero, Miguel; Witte, Samuel J.] Univ Valencia, CSIC, Inst Fis Corpuscular IFIC, Apartado Correos 22085, E-46071 Valencia, Spain, Email: miguel.escudero@ific.uv.es;
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher (up) Iop Publishing Ltd Place of Publication Editor
Language English Summary Language Original Title
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 1475-7516 ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference
Notes WOS:000417561900005 Approved no
Is ISI yes International Collaboration yes
Call Number IFIC @ pastor @ Serial 3412
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Author Gelmini, G.B.; Huh, J.H.; Witte, S.J.
Title Unified halo-independent formalism from convex hulls for direct dark matter searches Type Journal Article
Year 2017 Publication Journal of Cosmology and Astroparticle Physics Abbreviated Journal J. Cosmol. Astropart. Phys.
Volume 12 Issue 12 Pages 039 - 33pp
Keywords dark matter experiments; dark matter theory
Abstract Using the Fenchel-Eggleston theorem for convex hulls (an extension of the Caratheodory theorem), we prove that any likelihood can be maximized by either a dark matter 1-speed distribution F(v) in Earth's frame or 2-Galactic velocity distribution f(gal) ((u) over right arrow), consisting of a sum of delta functions. The former case applies only to time-averaged rate measurements and the maximum number of delta functions is (N-1), where N is the total number of data entries. The second case applies to any harmonic expansion coefficient of the time-dependent rate and the maximum number of terms is N. Using time-averaged rates, the aforementioned form of F(v) results in a piecewise constant unmodulated halo function (eta) over tilde (BF)-B-0 (v(min)) (which is an integral of the speed distribution) with at most (N-1) downward steps. The authors had previously proven this result for likelihoods comprised of at least one extended likelihood, and found the best-fit halo function to be unique. This uniqueness, however, cannot be guaranteed in the more general analysis applied to arbitrary likelihoods. Thus we introduce a method for determining whether there exists a unique best-fit halo function, and provide a procedure for constructing either a pointwise con fi dence band, if the best-fit halo function is unique, or a degeneracy band, if it is not. Using measurements of modulation amplitudes, the aforementioned form of f(gal) ((u) over right arrow), which is a sum of Galactic streams, yields a periodic time-dependent halo function (eta) over right arrow BF (v(min); t) which at any fixed time is a piecewise constant function of v(min) with at most N downward steps. In this case, we explain how to construct pointwise confidence and degeneracy bands from the time-averaged halo function. Finally, we show that requiring an isotropic Galactic velocity distribution leads to a Galactic speed distribution F(u)that is once again a sum of delta functions, and produces a time-dependent (eta) over tilde BF (v(min); t) function (and a time-averaged (eta) over tilde (0) BF (v(min))) that is piecewise linear, di ff ering significantly from best-fit halo functions obtained without the assumption of isotropy.
Address [Gelmini, Graciela B.; Witte, Samuel J.] Univ Calif Los Angeles, Dept Phys & Astron, 475 Portola Plaza, Los Angeles, CA 90095 USA, Email: gelmini@physics.ucla.edu;
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher (up) Iop Publishing Ltd Place of Publication Editor
Language English Summary Language Original Title
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 1475-7516 ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference
Notes WOS:000418922000002 Approved no
Is ISI yes International Collaboration yes
Call Number IFIC @ pastor @ Serial 3440
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Author Gelmini, G.B.; Takhistov, V.; Witte, S.J.
Title Casting a wide signal net with future direct dark matter detection experiments Type Journal Article
Year 2018 Publication Journal of Cosmology and Astroparticle Physics Abbreviated Journal J. Cosmol. Astropart. Phys.
Volume 07 Issue 7 Pages 009 - 55pp
Keywords dark matter detectors; dark matter experiments; dark matter theory
Abstract As dark matter (DM) direct detection experiments continue to improve their sensitivity they will inevitably encounter an irreducible background arising from coherent neutrino scattering. This so-called “neutrino floor” may significantly reduce the sensitivity of an experiment to DM-nuclei interactions, particularly if the recoil spectrum of the neutrino background is approximately degenerate with the DM signal. This occurs for the conventionally considered spin-independent (SI) or spin-dependent (SD) interactions. In such case, an increase in the experiment's exposure by multiple orders of magnitude may not yield any significant increase in sensitivity. The typically considered SI and SD interactions, however, do not adequately reflect the whole landscape of the well-motivated DM models, which includes other interactions. Since particle DM has not been detected yet in laboratories, it is essential to understand and maximize the detection capabilities for a broad variety of possible models and signatures. In this work we explore the impact of the background arising from various neutrino sources on the discovery potential of a DM signal for a large class of viable DM-nucleus interactions and several potential futuristic experimental settings, with different target elements. For some momentum suppressed cross sections, large DM particle masses and heavier targets, we find that there is no suppression of the discovery limits due to neutrino backgrounds. Further, we explicitly demonstrate that inelastic scattering, which could appear in models with multicomponent dark sectors, would help to lift the signal degeneracy associated with the neutrino floor. This study could assist with mapping out the optimal DM detection strategy for the next generation of experiments.
Address [Gelmini, Graciela B.; Takhistov, Volodymyr; Witte, Samuel J.] Univ Calif Los Angeles, Dept Phys & Astron, Los Angeles, CA 90095 USA, Email: gelmini@physics.ucla.edu;
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher (up) Iop Publishing Ltd Place of Publication Editor
Language English Summary Language Original Title
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 1475-7516 ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference
Notes WOS:000437422800001 Approved no
Is ISI yes International Collaboration yes
Call Number IFIC @ pastor @ Serial 3646
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Author Caputo, A.; Regis, M.; Taoso, M.; Witte, S.J.
Title Detecting the stimulated decay of axions at radio frequencies Type Journal Article
Year 2019 Publication Journal of Cosmology and Astroparticle Physics Abbreviated Journal J. Cosmol. Astropart. Phys.
Volume 03 Issue 3 Pages 027 - 22pp
Keywords axions; dark matter theory; dark matter detectors; dwarfs galaxies
Abstract Assuming axion-like particles account for the entirety of the dark matter in the Universe, we study the possibility of detecting their decay into photons at radio frequencies. We discuss different astrophysical targets, such as dwarf spheroidal galaxies, the Galactic Center and halo, and galaxy clusters. The presence of an ambient radiation field leads to a stimulated enhancement of the decay rate; depending on the environment and the mass of the axion, the effect of stimulated emission may amplify the photon flux by serval orders of magnitude. For axion-photon couplings allowed by astrophysical and laboratory constraints (and possibly favored by stellar cooling), we find the signal to be within the reach of next-generation radio telescopes such as the Square Kilometer Array.
Address [Caputo, Andrea; Witte, Samuel J.] Univ Valencia, CSIC, Inst Fis Corpuscular, Apartado Correos 22085, E-46071 Valencia, Spain, Email: andrea0292@hotmail.it;
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher (up) Iop Publishing Ltd Place of Publication Editor
Language English Summary Language Original Title
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 1475-7516 ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference
Notes WOS:000461450100002 Approved no
Is ISI yes International Collaboration yes
Call Number IFIC @ pastor @ Serial 3944
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Author Blanco, C.; Escudero, M.; Hooper, D.; Witte, S.J.
Title Z ' mediated WIMPs: dead, dying, or soon to be detected? Type Journal Article
Year 2019 Publication Journal of Cosmology and Astroparticle Physics Abbreviated Journal J. Cosmol. Astropart. Phys.
Volume 11 Issue 11 Pages 024 - 48pp
Keywords dark matter theory; dark matter detectors; dark matter experiments
Abstract Although weakly interacting massive particles (WIMPs) have long been among the most studied and theoretically attractive classes of candidates for the dark matter of our universe, the lack of their detection in direct detection and collider experiments has begun to dampen enthusiasm for this paradigm. In this study, we set out to appraise the status of the WIMP paradigm, focusing on the case of dark matter candidates that interact with the Standard Model through a new gauge boson. After considering a wide range of Z' mediated dark matter models, we quantitatively evaluate the fraction of the parameter space that has been excluded by existing experiments, and that is projected to fall within the reach of future direct detection experiments. Despite the existence of stringent constraints, we find that a sizable fraction of this parameter space remains viable. More specifically, if the dark matter is a Majorana fermion, we find that an order one fraction of the parameter space is in many cases untested by current experiments. Future direct detection experiments with sensitivity near the irreducible neutrino floor will be able to test a significant fraction of the currently viable parameter space, providing considerable motivation for the next generation of direct detection experiments.
Address [Blanco, Carlos] Univ Chicago, Dept Phys, Chicago, IL 60637 USA, Email: carlosblanco2718@uchicago.ed;
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher (up) Iop Publishing Ltd Place of Publication Editor
Language English Summary Language Original Title
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 1475-7516 ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference
Notes WOS:000507259700021 Approved no
Is ISI yes International Collaboration yes
Call Number IFIC @ pastor @ Serial 4255
Permanent link to this record