CoGeNT interpretations

Recently, the CoGeNT experiment has reported events in excess of expected background. We analyze dark matter scenarios which can potentially explain this signal. Under the standard case of spin independent scattering with equal couplings to protons and neutrons, we find significant tensions with exi...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of cosmology and astroparticle physics 2010-08, Vol.2010 (8), p.018-18
Main Authors: Chang, Spencer, Liu, Jia, Pierce, Aaron, Weiner, Neal, Yavin, Itay
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
ASTROPHYSICS
ASTROPHYSICS, COSMOLOGY AND ASTRONOMY
BOSONS
COSMOLOGY
LIMITING VALUES
MODULATION
NEUTRONS
NONLUMINOUS MATTER
POTENTIALS
PROTONS
RECOILS
SPIN
VISIBLE RADIATION
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Summary:Recently, the CoGeNT experiment has reported events in excess of expected background. We analyze dark matter scenarios which can potentially explain this signal. Under the standard case of spin independent scattering with equal couplings to protons and neutrons, we find significant tensions with existing constraints. Consistency with these limits is possible if a large fraction of the putative signal events is coming from an additional source of experimental background. In this case, dark matter recoils cannot be said to explain the excess, but are consistent with it. We also investigate modifications to dark matter scattering that can evade the null experiments. In particular, we explore generalized spin independent couplings to protons and neutrons, spin dependent couplings, momentum dependent scattering, and inelastic interactions. We find that some of these generalizations can explain most of the CoGeNT events without violation of other constraints. Generalized couplings with some momentum dependence allow further consistency with the DAMA modulation signal, realizing a scenario where both CoGeNT and DAMA signals are coming from dark matter. A model with dark matter interacting and annihilating into a new light boson can realize most of the scenarios considered. Keywords->
ISSN:1475-7516
1475-7516
DOI:10.1088/1475-7516/2010/08/018