Testing the Dark Matter Interpretation of the DAMA/LIBRA Result with Super-Kamiokande

TL;DR

This paper investigates whether the DAMA/LIBRA dark matter interpretation can be tested with Super-Kamiokande by linking the DAMA-favored low-mass, high-cross-section region to the neutrino flux from dark matter annihilation in the Sun. It develops a framework connecting the direct-detection cross section to the solar capture rate and the resulting annihilation rate, using the neutrino-energy spectrum to map to muon fluxes at Super-K. Current Super-K data do not yet exclude the DAMA-preferred parameter space, but projected analyses—particularly using fully-contained events—could extend sensitivity to $m_X \approx 5-10~{\rm GeV}$ and potentially corroborate DAMA for certain models. The work applies the framework to neutralinos, WIMPless, and mirror dark matter, illustrating how model-dependent assumptions affect the indirect detection prospects and highlighting the promising potential for cross-validation between direct and indirect searches.

Abstract

We consider the prospects for testing the dark matter interpretation of the DAMA/LIBRA signal with the Super-Kamiokande experiment. The DAMA/LIBRA signal favors dark matter with low mass and high scattering cross section. We show that these characteristics imply that the scattering cross section that enters the DAMA/LIBRA event rate determines the annihilation rate probed by Super-Kamiokande. Current limits from Super-Kamiokande through-going events do not test the DAMA/LIBRA favored region. We show, however, that upcoming analyses including fully-contained events with sensitivity to dark matter masses from 5 to 10 GeV may corroborate the DAMA/LIBRA signal. We conclude by considering three specific dark matter candidates, neutralinos, WIMPless dark matter, and mirror dark matter, which illustrate the various model-dependent assumptions entering our analysis.

Figures (1)

• Figure 1: Direct detection cross sections for spin-independent $X$-nucleon scattering as a function of dark matter mass $m_X$. The black solid line is the published Super-K exclusion limit Desai:2004pq, and the black dashed line is our projection of future Super-K sensitivity. The magenta shaded region is DAMA-favored given channeling and no streams Petriello:2008jj, and the medium green shaded region is DAMA-favored at 3$\sigma$ given streams but no channeling Gondolo:2005hh. The light yellow shaded region is excluded by the direct detection experiments indicated. The dark blue diagonal shaded (upper right to lower left) region is the prediction for the neutralino models considered in Ref. Bottino:2003iu and the light blue diagonal shaded region (upper left to lower right) region is the parameter space of WIMPless models with connector quark mass $m_Y = 400~{\rm GeV}$ and $0.3 <\lambda_b < 1.0$. Other limits come from the Baksan and MACRO experiments Montaruli:1999nvdelosHeros:2007hyDesai:2004pq, though they are not as sensitive as Super-K.