Effective field theory analysis of the first LUX dark matter search



Akerib, DS, Alsum, S, Araujo, HM, Bai, X, Balajthy, J, Baxter, A, Bernard, EP, Bernstein, A, Biesiadzinski, TP, Boulton, EM
et al (show 87 more authors) (2021) Effective field theory analysis of the first LUX dark matter search. PHYSICAL REVIEW D, 103 (12). 122005-.

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Abstract

The Large Underground Xenon (LUX) dark matter search was a 250-kg active mass dual-phase time projection chamber that operated by detecting light and ionization signals from particles incident on a xenon target. In December 2015, LUX reported a minimum 90% upper C.L. of 6×10-46 cm2 on the spin-independent WIMP-nucleon elastic scattering cross section based on a 1.4×104 kg·day exposure in its first science run. Tension between experiments and the absence of a definitive positive detection suggest it would be prudent to search for WIMPs outside the standard spin-independent/spin-dependent paradigm. Recent theoretical work has identified a complete basis of 14 independent effective field theory (EFT) operators to describe WIMP-nucleon interactions. In addition to spin-independent and spin-dependent nuclear responses, these operators can produce novel responses such as angular-momentum-dependent and spin-orbit couplings. Here we report on a search for all 14 of these EFT couplings with data from LUX's first science run. Limits are placed on each coupling as a function of WIMP mass.

Item Type: Article
Divisions: Faculty of Science and Engineering > School of Physical Sciences
Depositing User: Symplectic Admin
Date Deposited: 13 Dec 2021 17:00
Last Modified: 15 Mar 2024 02:26
DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevD.103.122005
Open Access URL: https://arxiv.org/abs/2003.11141
Related URLs:
URI: https://livrepository.liverpool.ac.uk/id/eprint/3145307