LikeDM: likelihood calculator of dark matter detection

With the large progress in searches for dark matter (DM) particles with indirect and direct methods, we develop a numerical tool that enables fast calculations of the likelihoods of specified DM particle models given a number of observational data, such as charged cosmic rays from space-borne experiments (e.g., PAMELA, AMS-02), gamma-rays from the Fermi space telescope, and underground direct detection experiments. The purpose of this tool --- LikeDM, likelihood calculator for dark matter detection --- is to bridge the gap between a particle model of DM and the observational data. The intermediate steps between these two, including the astrophysical backgrounds, the propagation of charged particles, the analysis of Fermi gamma-ray data, as well as the DM velocity distribution and the nuclear form factor, have been dealt with in the code. We release the first version (v1.0) focusing on the constraints from indirect detection of DM with charged cosmic and gamma rays. Direct detection will be implemented in the next version. This manual describes the framework, usage, and related physics of the code. The code LikeDM can be download from https://likedm.hepforge.org/Comment: v2, published in Computer Physics Communications, "LikeDM can be download from https://likedm.hepforge.org/

Constraining dark matter capture and annihilation cross sections by searching for neutrino signature from the Earth core

We study the sensitivity of IceCube/DeepCore detector to dark matter annihilations in the Earth core. We focus on annihilation modes $\chi\chi\to \nu \bar{\nu}, \, \tau^+ \tau^-, \, b \bar{b}$, and $W^+W^-$. Both track and cascade events are considered in our analysis. By fixing the dark matter annihilation cross section $\langle \sigma\upsilon\rangle$ at some nominal values, we study the sensitivity of IceCube/DeepCore detector to dark matter spin-independent cross section $\sigma_p^{\rm SI}$ for $m_{\chi}$ ranging from few tens of GeV to 10 TeV. This sensitivity is compared with the existing IceCube 79-string constraint on the same cross section, which was obtained by searching for dark matter annihilations in the Sun. We compare this sensitivity to dark matter direct detection results as well, in particular the XENON100 (2012) limit and the parameter regions preferred by DAMA and CRESST-II experiments. We also present IceCube/DeepCore sensitivity to $\langle \sigma\upsilon \rangle$ as a function of $m_{\chi}$ by fixing $\sigma_p^{\rm SI}$ at XENON100 (2012) and XENON1T limits, respectively. This sensitivity is compared with the preferred dark matter parameter range derived from the combined fitting to PAMELA and AMS02 positron fraction data. We conclude that the search for dark matter annihilations in the Earth core provides competitive constraints on $\sigma_p^{\rm SI}$ and $\langle \sigma\upsilon \rangle$ in the case of low-mass dark matter. Particularly, the expected constraint on \sigsip for 5 years of data taking in IceCube/DeepCore is more stringent than the current IceCube 79-string limit mentioned above.Comment: 23 pages, 8 figure

Effective Theory of WIMP Dark Matter supplemented by Simplified Models: Singlet-like Majorana fermion case

We enumerate the set of simplified models which match onto the complete set of gauge invariant effective operators up to dimension six describing interactions of a singlet-like Majorana fermion dark matter with the standard model. Tree level matching conditions for each case are worked out in the large mediator mass limit, defining a one to one correspondence between the effective operator coefficients and the simplified model parameters for weakly interacting models. Utilizing such a mapping, we compute the dark matter annihilation rate in the early universe, as well as other low-energy observables like nuclear recoil rates using the effective operators, while the simplified models are used to compute the dark matter production rates at high energy colliders like LEP, LHC and future lepton colliders. Combining all relevant constraints with a profile likelihood analysis, we then discuss the currently allowed parameter regions and prospects for future searches in terms of the effective operator parameters, reducing the model dependence to a minimal level. In the parameter region where such a model-independent analysis is applicable, and leaving aside the special dark matter mass regions where the annihilation proceeds through an s-channel Z or Higgs boson pole, the current constraints allow effective operator suppression scales ($\Lambda$) of the order of a few hundred GeV for dark matter masses $m_\chi >$ 20 GeV at $95\%$ C.L., while the maximum allowed scale is around $3$ TeV for $m_\chi \sim \mathcal{O}(1\,{\rm TeV})$. An estimate of the future reach of ton-scale direct detection experiments and planned electron-positron colliders show that most of the remaining regions can be probed, apart from dark matter masses near half of the Z-boson mass (with $500\,{\rm GeV} < \Lambda < 2\,{\rm TeV}$) and those beyond the kinematic reach of the future lepton colliders.Comment: 30 pages, 6 figure

A generic method to constrain the dark matter model parameters from Fermi observations of dwarf spheroids

Observation of gamma-rays from dwarf galaxies is an effective way to search for particle dark matter. Using 4-year data of Fermi-LAT observations on a series of Milky Way satellites, we develop a general way to search for the signals from dark matter annihilation in such objects. Instead of giving prior information about the energy spectrum of dark matter annihilation, we bin the Fermi-LAT data into several energy bins and build a likelihood map in the "energy bin - flux" plane. The final likelihood of any spectrum can be easily derived through combining the likelihood of all the energy bins. It gives consistent result with that directly calculated using the Fermi Scientific Tool. This method is very efficient for the study of any specific dark matter models with gamma-rays. We use the new likelihood map with Fermi-LAT 4 year data to fit the parameter space in three representative dark matter models: i) toy dark matter model, ii) effective dark matter operators, and iii) supersymmetric neutralino dark matter.Comment: Matches JCAP accepted version, 8 pages, 6 figure

Singlet Majorana fermion dark matter: a comprehensive analysis in effective field theory

We explore a singlet Majorana fermion dark matter candidate using an effective field theory (EFT) framework, respecting the relations imposed by the standard model $SU(3)_C \times SU(2)_L \times U(1)_Y$ gauge invariance among different couplings. All operators of dimension-5 and dimension-6, forming a complete basis, are taken into account at the same time, keeping in view ultraviolet completions which can give rise to more than one operator at a time. If in addition CP-conservation is assumed, the remaining parameter space, where an EFT description is valid, is found to be rather restricted after imposing constraints from relic abundance, direct, indirect and collider searches. On including the CP-violating dimension-5 operator, $(\overline{\chi}i \gamma_5 \chi) (H^\dagger H)$, a significantly larger parameter space opens up. We use the profile likelihood method to map out the remaining landscape of such a DM scenario. The reach of future searches using ton-scale direct detection experiments, an $e^+ e^-$ collider like the proposed ILC and limits from future gamma-ray observations are also estimated.Comment: 36 pages, 7 figures; v2 : comments and references added, matches version to appear in JHE

Sensitivities of IceCube DeepCore Detector to Signatures of Low-Mass Dark Matter in the Galactic Halo

We discuss the event rate in DeepCore array due to neutrino flux produced by annihilations and decays of galactic dark matter. This event rate is calculated with a 10 GeV threshold energy, which is smaller than the threshold energy taken in previous works. Taking into account the background event rate due to the atmospheric neutrino flux, we evaluate the sensitivity of DeepCore array for probing dark matter annihilation cross section and decay time. The sensitivity studies include the annihilation modes $\chi\chi\to b\bar{b}, \ \tau^+ \tau^-$, \$\mu^+\mu^-$, and$\nu\bar{\nu}$, and decay modes$\chi\to b\bar{b}, \ \tau^+ \tau^-$, \$\mu^+\mu^-$, and$\nu\bar{\nu}$. We compare our results with corresponding constraints derived from observations of WMAP, ACT and Fermi-LAT.Comment: matches the published versio

Shedding Light on Dark Matter with Fermi LAT Data on Gamma Rays

The diffuse Galactic gamma-ray data from the region of the Galactic Center has been collected by the LAT instrument on the Fermi Gamma-Ray Space Telescope. In this paper we argue that it may be able to provide an unambiguous evidence of originating, in addition to known astrophysical sources, from dark matter annihilations in the halo, independently of the mass and other properties of the dark matter particle. We also show that the recently released high precision data from mid-latitudes is already providing an upper bound, albeit still a weak one, on the cuspiness of the dark matter density profile as a function of the mass of the dark matter assumed to be a stable neutralino of minimal supersymmetry.Comment: 8 page

Non-abelian Dark Matter Solutions for Galactic Gamma-ray Excess and Perseus 3.5 keV X-ray Line

We attempt to explain simultaneously the Galactic center gamma-ray excess and the 3.5 keV X-ray line from the Perseus cluster based on a class of non-abelian $SU(2)$ DM models, in which the dark matter and an excited state comprise a "dark" $SU(2)$ doublet. The non-abelian group kinetically mixes with the standard model gauge group via dimensions-5 operators. The dark matter particles annihilate into standard model fermions, followed by fragmentation and bremsstrahlung, and thus producing a continuous spectrum of gamma-rays. On the other hand, the dark matter particles can annihilate into a pair of excited states, each of which decays back into the dark matter particle and an X-ray photon, which has an energy equal to the mass difference between the dark matter and the excited state, which is set to be 3.5 keV. The large hierarchy between the required X-ray and $\gamma$-ray annihilation cross-sections can be achieved by a very small kinetic mixing between the SM and dark sector, which effectively suppresses the annihilation into the standard model fermions but not into the excited state.Comment: v3: references and clarifications added, conclusions unchanged, version accepted by JCA

The impact of propagation uncertainties on the potential Dark Matter contribution to the Fermi LAT mid-latitude gamma-ray data

We investigate the extent to which the uncertainties associated with the propagation of Galactic cosmic rays impact upon estimates for the gamma-ray flux from the mid-latitude region. We consider contributions from both standard astrophysical background (SAB) processes as well as resolved point sources. We have found that the uncertainties in the total gamma-ray flux from the mid-latitude region relating to propagation parameter values consistent with local B/C and Be10/Be9 data dominate by 1-2 orders of magnitude. These uncertainties are reduced to less than an order of magnitude when the normalisations of the SAB spectral components are fitted to the corresponding Fermi LAT data. We have found that for many propagation parameter configurations (PPCs) our fits improve when an extragalactic background (EGB) component is simultaneously fitted to the data. We also investigate the improvement in our fits when a flux contribution from neutralino dark matter (DM), described by the Minimal Supersymmetric Standard Model, was simultaneously fitted to the data. We consider three representative cases of neutralino DM for both Burkert and Einasto DM density profiles, in each case simultaneously fitting a boost factor of the DM contribution together with the SAB and EGB components. We have found that for several PPCs there are significant improvements in our fits, yielding both substantial EGB and DM components, where for a few of these PPCs the best-fit EGB component is consistent with recent estimates by the Fermi Collaboration.Comment: V2: 25 pages, 9 figures and 13 tables. Replaced to match version accepted for publication in PRD. Major revisions to address referee's comment

G2HDM : Gauged Two Higgs Doublet Model

A novel model embedding the two Higgs doublets in the popular two Higgs doublet models into a doublet of a non-abelian gauge group $SU(2)_H$ is presented. The Standard Model $SU(2)_L$ right-handed fermion singlets are paired up with new heavy fermions to form $SU(2)_H$ doublets, while $SU(2)_L$ left-handed fermion doublets are singlets under $SU(2)_H$. Distinctive features of this anomaly-free model are: (1) Electroweak symmetry breaking is induced from spontaneous symmetry breaking of $SU(2)_H$ via its triplet vacuum expectation value; (2) One of the Higgs doublet can be inert, with its neutral component being a dark matter candidate as protected by the $SU(2)_H$ gauge symmetry instead of a discrete $Z_2$ symmetry in the usual case; (3) Unlike Left-Right Symmetric Models, the complex gauge fields $(W_1^{\prime}\mp i W_2^{\prime})$ (along with other complex scalar fields) associated with the $SU(2)_H$ do {\it not} carry electric charges, while the third component $W^{\prime}_3$ can mix with the hypercharge $U(1)_Y$ gauge field and the third component of $SU(2)_L$; (4) Absence of tree level flavour changing neutral current is guaranteed by gauge symmetry; and {\it etc}. In this work, we concentrate on the mass spectra of scalar and gauge bosons in the model. Constraints from previous $Z^\prime$ data at LEP and the Large Hadron Collider measurements of the Standard Model Higgs mass, its partial widths of $\gamma\gamma$ and $Z\gamma$ modes are discussed.Comment: 40 pages, 7 figures, version accepted in JHEP, relic density discussion adde