4 research outputs found
The Role of Antimatter Searches in the Hunt for Supersymmetric Dark Matter
We analyze the antimatter yield of supersymmetric (SUSY) models with large
neutralino annihilation cross sections. We introduce three benchmark scenarios,
respectively featuring bino, wino and higgsino-like lightest neutralinos, and
we study in detail the resulting antimatter spectral features. We carry out a
systematic and transparent comparison between current and future prospects for
direct detection, neutrino telescopes and antimatter searches. We demonstrate
that often, in the models we consider, antimatter searches are the only
detection channel which already constrains the SUSY parameter space.
Particularly large antiprotons fluxes are expected for wino-like lightest
neutralinos, while significant antideuteron fluxes result from resonantly
annihilating binos. We introduce a simple and general recipe which allows to
assess the visibility of a given SUSY model at future antimatter search
facilities. We provide evidence that upcoming space-based experiments, like
PAMELA or AMS, are going to be, in many cases, the unique open road towards
dark matter discovery.Comment: 34 pages, 18 figures; V2: misprints in the labels of fig. 2,3 and 5
correcte
Direct versus indirect detection in mSUGRA with self-consistent halo models
We perform a detailed analysis of the detection prospects of neutralino dark
matter in the mSUGRA framework. We focus on models with a thermal relic
density, estimated with high accuracy using the DarkSUSY package, in the range
favored by current precision cosmological measurements. Direct and indirect
detection rates are computed implementing two models for the dark matter halo,
tracing opposite regimes for the phase of baryon infall, with fully consistent
density profiles and velocity distribution functions. This has allowed, for the
first time, a fully consistent comparison between direct and indirect detection
prospects. We discuss all relevant regimes in the mSUGRA parameter space,
underlining relevant effects, and providing the basis for extending the
discussion to alternative frameworks. In general, we find that direct detection
and searches for antideuterons in the cosmic rays seems to be the most
promising ways to search for neutralinos in these scenarios.Comment: 26 pages, 9 figure
DarkSUSY: Computing Supersymmetric Dark Matter Properties Numerically
The question of the nature of the dark matter in the Universe remains one of
the most outstanding unsolved problems in basic science. One of the best
motivated particle physics candidates is the lightest supersymmetric particle,
assumed to be the lightest neutralino - a linear combination of the
supersymmetric partners of the photon, the Z boson and neutral scalar Higgs
particles. Here we describe DarkSUSY, a publicly-available advanced numerical
package for neutralino dark matter calculations. In DarkSUSY one can compute
the neutralino density in the Universe today using precision methods which
include resonances, pair production thresholds and coannihilations. Masses and
mixings of supersymmetric particles can be computed within DarkSUSY or with the
help of external programs such as FeynHiggs, ISASUGRA and SUSPECT. Accelerator
bounds can be checked to identify viable dark matter candidates. DarkSUSY also
computes a large variety of astrophysical signals from neutralino dark matter,
such as direct detection in low-background counting experiments and indirect
detection through antiprotons, antideuterons, gamma-rays and positrons from the
Galactic halo or high-energy neutrinos from the center of the Earth or of the
Sun. Here we describe the physics behind the package. A detailed manual will be
provided with the computer package.Comment: 35 pages, no figure