Prospects for Detecting Supersymmetric Dark Matter at Post-LEP Benchmark Points

TL;DR

This paper evaluates the detectability of neutralino dark matter within post-LEP CMSSM benchmark points across direct and indirect channels. It combines collider- and cosmology-inspired constraints to select 13 representative points spanning the bulk, focus point, coannihilation tail, and funnel regions, then computes spin-independent and spin-dependent scattering, solar/e terrestrial neutrino-induced muons, galactic-center gamma rays, and halo positrons, highlighting the dependence on halo models. The key findings are that spin-independent direct detection is most promising for several benchmarks (notably I, B, E, L, G, F, C), muon fluxes from the Sun could be detectable for models including E and F, and gamma-ray signals from the Galactic Center may be observable for some benchmarks with GLAST, albeit with large halo-uncertainty caveats; positron signals are potential but generally require favorable halo clumpiness. Overall, the study indicates meaningful prospects for multi-channel dark matter detection in CMSSM benchmarks prior to the LHC era, while emphasizing astrophysical uncertainties that influence absolute rates.

Abstract

A new set of supersymmetric benchmark scenarios has recently been proposed in the context of the constrained MSSM (CMSSM) with universal soft supersymmetry-breaking masses, taking into account the constraints from LEP, $b \to s γ$ and $g_μ- 2$. These points have previously been used to discuss the physics reaches of different accelerators. In this paper, we discuss the prospects for discovering supersymmetric dark matter in these scenarios. We consider direct detection through spin-independent and spin-dependent nuclear scattering, as well as indirect detection through relic annihilations to neutrinos, photons, and positrons. We find that several of the benchmark scenarios offer good prospects for direct detection via spin-independent nuclear scattering and indirect detection via muons produced by neutrinos from relic annihilations inside the Sun, and some models offer good prospects for detecting photons from relic annihilations in the galactic centre.

Figures (7)

• Figure 1: Benchmark points Battaglia:2001zp in the (a) $(m_0, m_{1/2})$ and (b) $(|\mu|, M_1)$ planes.
• Figure 2: Elastic cross sections for (a,b) spin-independent scattering and (c,d) spin-dependent scattering on (a,c) protons and (b,d) neutrons. The predictions of SSARD (blue crosses) and Neutdriver (red circles) for neutralino-nucleon scattering are compared. Projected sensitivities (a,b) for CDMS II Schnee:1998gf and CRESST Bravin:1999fc (solid) and GENIUS GENIUS (dashed) and (c) for a 100 kg NAIAD array Spooner:2000kt, as well as (d) the existing DAMA limit Bernabei:1998ad are also shown.
• Figure 3: Muon fluxes from neutrinos originating from relic annihilations inside (a) the Sun and (b) the Earth. Approximate sensitivities of near future neutrino telescopes ($\Phi_{\mu} = 10^2~{\rm km}^{-2}~{\rm yr}^{-1}$ for AMANDA II AMANDA, NESTOR NESTOR, and ANTARES ANTARES, and $\Phi_{\mu} = 1~{\rm km}^{-2}~{\rm yr}^{-1}$ for IceCube IceCube) are also indicated.
• Figure 4: The integrated photon flux $\Phi(E_{\rm th})$ as a function of photon energy threshold $E_{\rm th}$ for photons produced by relic annihilations in the galactic center. A moderate halo parameter $\bar{J} = 500$ is assumed. Point source flux sensitivities for various gamma ray detectors are also shown.
• Figure 5: Comparisons between predicted integrated fluxes and prospective experimental sensitivities for photons with (a) a 1 GeV threshold, and (b) a 50 GeV threshold, following Feng:2001zu. Estimated sensitivities for (a) GLAST GLAST and (b) MAGIC MAGIC are also shown. A moderate halo parameter $\bar{J}=500$ is assumed.