Northwestern Events Calendar

Oct
20
2014

Josh Berger:Detecting Boosted Dark Matter from the Sun with Large Volume Neutrino Detectors

When: Monday, October 20, 2014
4:00 PM - 5:00 PM CT

Where: Technological Institute, F160, 2145 Sheridan Road, Evanston, IL 60208 map it

Audience: Public

Contact: Leah Handel  

Group: Physics and Astronomy High Energy Physics Seminars

Category: Academic

Description:

Title: Detecting Boosted Dark Matter from the Sun with Large Volume Neutrino Detectors

 

Speaker: Josh Berger, SLAC
 

Abstract: We study the novel scenarios where thermal dark matter (DM) can be efficiently captured in the Sun and annihilate into boosted dark matter. In models with semi-annihilating DM, where DM has a non-minimal stabilization symmetry, or in models with a multi-component DM sector, annihilations of DM can give rise to stable dark sector particles with moderate boosts. We investigate both of these possibilities, presenting concrete models as proofs of concept. Both scenarios can yield viable thermal relic DM with masses O(1) - O(100) GeV.  Taking advantage of the energetic proton recoils that arise when the boosted DM scatters off matter, we propose a detection strategy which uses large volume terrestrial detectors, such as those designed to detect neutrinos or proton decays. In particular, we propose a search for proton tracks pointing towards the Sun. We focus on signals at Cherenkov-radiation- based detectors such as Super-Kamiokande (SK) and its upgrade Hyper-Kamiokande (HK). We find that with spin-dependent scattering as the dominant DM-nucleus interaction at low energies, boosted DM can leave detectable signals at SK or HK, with sensitivity comparable to DM direct detection experiments while being consistent with current constraints. 

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