Computation of dark matter-nucleus scattering rates in direct detection experiments

Dark matter is one of the main topics of intensive worldwide research in cosmology and particle physics. The concept of dark matter is strongly indicated by vast astronomical and cosmological data. In this poster, we present how to compute the event rate in direct detection experiments for a given microscopic model. Empirically given constraints on impact velocities of interacting particles and their masses indicate that dark matter particles do not have enough energy to brake the nuclei bonds. It is then reasonable to take into account only DM-nuclei interactions. Scattering rates between DM and nuclei were studied by Cirelli, Del Nobile, and Panci (2013) for contact and long-range interactions. We extend the study of Cirelli et al. to interactions mediated by intermediate-mass particle. By applying effective non-relativistic scattering operators, we explore the mediator-mass dependence of scattering rates. This poster provides a framework for understanding the ways in which dark matter interacts with standard model particles, and offers insight for further study of these interactions.