Direct Detection of Cold Dark Matter

[Garth]

An interesting review paper of the search for DM particle(s): Direct Detection of Cold Dark Matter.

Conclusions
A major program to detect the tiny energy depositions when a galactic WIMP scatters off a nucleus in an ultra-low background detector is underway. After decades of technological developments, experiments operating deep underground have reached the sensitivities to probe realistic supersymmetric particle physics models. The major questions have shifted from ’how to detect a WIMP’ to ’how can we identify its nature in case of a signal’. A combination of different detector materials, coupled to using target nuclei with and without spin, will allow to determine the particle mass, and in some cases, to distinguish among different underlying theoretical models (recent studies can be found in [51,52,53]). Needless to say, additional information from accelerators and from indirect searches could allow to determine the local density and perhaps to constrain the sub-structure of the dark matter halo. While recent best limits on WIMP-nucleon cross sections are derived from kg-size experiments, larger, 100 kg - 1 ton size detectors are already under construction. These experiments will have a non-negligible chance of discovering a heavy dark matter particle and their results will strongly influence the design of next generation detectors.

The search continues.

Garth

 

[Greg Bernhardt]

@Garth did you find any more insight on this topic?

 

[Garth]

Well twelve years later we are no nearer understanding what DM is...

Not found in any detector nor in the LHC...

My guess would be it is a scalar field, but then what do I know?

Garth