Mono-X versus direct searches: simplified models for dark matter at the LHC

We consider simplified models for dark matter (DM) at the LHC, focused on mono-Higgs, -Z, or -b produced in the final state. Our primary purpose is to study the LHC reach of a relatively complete set of simplified models for these final states, while comparing the reach of the mono-X DM search against direct searches for the mediating particle. We find that direct searches for the mediating particle, whether in di-jets, jets+MET, multi-b+MET, or di-boson+MET, are usually stronger. We draw attention to the cases that the mono-X search is strongest, which include regions of parameter space in inelastic DM, two Higgs doublet, and squark mediated production models with a compressed spectrum.Comment: 43 pages, 17 figures; v2: clarifications added and typos fixed, results unchanged. Published versio