arXiv subjects

Tim M. P. Tait

Publications and source records attributed to Tim M. P. Tait.

At least 109 records · Page 6Linked to original sources

arXiv2012

Two Lines or Not Two Lines? That is the Question of Gamma Ray Spectra

Lines in the spectrum of cosmic gamma rays are considered one of the more robust signatures of dark matter annihilation. We consider such processes from an effective field theory vantage, and find that generically, two or more lines are expected, providing an interesting feature that can be exploited for searches and reveal details about the underlying theory of dark matter. Using the 130 GeV feature recently reported in the Fermi-LAT data as an example, we analyze the energy spectrum in the multi-line context and find the data to be consistent with a single $γγ$ line, a single $γZ$ line or both a $γγ$ and a $γZ$ line.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2012

Limits on Four-Top Production from the ATLAS Same-sign Top-quark Search

We repurpose the recent ATLAS search for same-sign top quarks in data with 1.0 fb$^{-1}$ in the context of a search for production of four top quarks. Using the null results of that search, we place limits on the four-top-quark production cross section of about 1 pb. These limits are larger than the expected Standard Model rate for four-top-quark production, but are already strong enough to place interesting constraints on models which enhance that rate. We interpret these results in the context of models in which the right-handed top quark is composite and find limits on the compositeness scale of about 700 GeV.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2012

Collider Constraints on Dipole-Interacting Dark Matter

Dark matter which interacts through a magnetic or electric dipole moment is an interesting possibility which may help to resolve the discrepancy between the DAMA annual modulation signal and the null results of other searches. In this article we examine relic density and collider constraints on such dark matter, and find that for couplings needed to explain DAMA, the thermal relic density is generically in the right ballpark to account for cosmological measurements. Collider constraints are relevant for light WIMPs, but less constraining that direct searches for masses above about 10 GeV.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2012

Magnetic Fluffy Dark Matter

We explore extensions of inelastic Dark Matter and Magnetic inelastic Dark Matter where the WIMP can scatter to a tower of heavier states. We assume a WIMP mass $m_χ\sim \mathcal{O}(1-100)$ GeV and a constant splitting between successive states $δ\sim\mathcal{O}(1 - 100)$ keV. For the spin-independent scattering scenario we find that the direct experiments CDMS and XENON strongly constrain most of the DAMA/LIBRA preferred parameter space, while for WIMPs that interact with nuclei via their magnetic moment a region of parameter space corresponding to $m_χ\sim 11 $ GeV and $δ< 15$ keV is allowed by all the present direct detection constraints.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2011

CoGeNT, DAMA, and Light Neutralino Dark Matter

Recent observations by the CoGeNT collaboration (as well as long standing observations by DAMA/LIBRA) suggest the presence of a $\sim 5$-10 GeV dark matter particle with a somewhat large elastic scattering cross section with nucleons ($σ\sim 10^{-40}$ cm$^2$).Within the context of the minimal supersymmetric standard model (MSSM), neutralinos in this mass range are not able to possess such large cross sections, and would be overproduced in the early universe. Simple extensions of the MSSM, however, can easily accommodate these observations. In particular, the extension of the MSSM by a chiral singlet superfield allows for the possibility that the dark matter is made up of a light singlino that interacts with nucleons largely through the exchange of a fairly light ($\sim$30-70 GeV) singlet-like scalar higgs, $\hi$. Such a scenario is consistent with all current collider constraints and can generate the signals reported by CoGeNT and DAMA/LIBRA. Furthermore, there is a generic limit of the extended model in which there is a singlet-like pseudoscalar higgs, $\ai$, with $\mai\sim \mhi$ and in which the $χ^0χ^0$ and $b\anti b, s\anti s$ coupling magnitudes of the $\hi$ and $\ai$ are very similar. In this case, the thermal relic abundance is automatically consistent with the measured density of dark matter if $\mchi$ is sufficiently small that $χ^0χ^0\to b\anti b$ is forbidden.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2011

Inelastic Dark Matter at the LHC

We perform a model-independent study of inelastic dark matter at the LHC, concentrating on the parameter space with the mass splitting between the excited and ground states of dark matter above a few hundred MeV, where the direct detection experiments are unlikely to explore. The generic signatures of inelastic dark matter at the LHC are displaced pions together with a monojet plus missing energy, and can be tested at the 7 TeV LHC.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2011

LHC Bounds on Interactions of Dark Matter

We derive limits on the interactions of dark matter with quarks from ATLAS null searches for jets + missing energy based on ~1 fb^-1 of integrated luminosity, using a model-insensitive effective theory framework. We find that the new limits from the LHC significantly extend limits previously derived from CDF data at the Tevatron. Translated into the parameter space of direct searches, these limits are particularly effective for ~GeV mass WIMPs. Our limits indicate tension with isospin violating models satisfying minimal flavor violation which attempt to reconcile the purported CoGeNT excess with Xenon-100, indicating that either a light mediator or nontrivial flavor structure for the dark sector is necessary for a viable reconciliation of CoGeNT with Xenon.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2011

$A^t_{FB}$ Meets LHC

The recent Tevatron measurement of the forward-backward asymmetry of the top quark shows an intriguing discrepancy with Standard Model expectations, particularly at large $\ttbar$ invariant masses. Measurements of this quantity are subtle at the LHC, due to its $pp$ initial state, however, one can define a forward-central-charge asymmetry which captures the physics. We study the capability of the LHC to measure this asymmetry and find that within the SM a measurement at the $5σ$ level is possible with roughly 60 fb$^{-1}$ at $\sqrt{s} = 14$ TeV. If nature realizes a model which enhances the asymmetry (as is necessary to explain the Tevatron measurements), a significant difference from zero can be observed much earlier, perhaps even during early LHC running at $\sqrt{s} = 7$ TeV. We further explore the capabilities of the 7 TeV LHC to discover resonances or contact interactions which modify the $\ttbar$ invariant mass distribution using recent boosted top tagging techniques. We find that TeV-scale color octet resonances can be discovered, even with small coupling strengths and that contact interactions can be probed at scales exceeding 6 TeV. Overall, the LHC has good potential to clarify the situation with regards to the Tevatron forward-backward measurement.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2011

Asymmetric Leptons for Asymmetric Tops

We propose an efficient method to explore models which which produce like-sign tops at the LHC, using the total charge asymmetry of single lepton events instead of like-sign dileptons. As an example, the method is implemented on a Z' Model, which can explain the top pair forward-backward asymmetry at Tevatron. We show that a large region of the parameter space of this model can be reached using the existing data set at the LHC.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2011

Constraints on Dark Matter from Colliders

We show that colliders can impose strong constraints on models of dark matter, in particular when the dark matter is light. We analyze models where the dark matter is a fermion or scalar interacting with quarks and/or gluons through an effective theory containing higher dimensional operators which represent heavier states that have been integrated out of the effective field theory. We determine bounds from existing Tevatron searches for monojets as well as expected LHC reaches for a discovery. We find that colliders can provide information which is complementary or in some cases even superior to experiments searching for direct detection of dark matter through its scattering with nuclei. In particular, both the Tevatron and the LHC can outperform spin dependent searches by an order of magnitude or better over much of parameter space, and if the dark matter couples mainly to gluons, the LHC can place bounds superior to any spin independent search.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2010

Gamma Ray Line Constraints on Effective Theories of Dark Matter

A monochromatic gamma ray line results when dark matter particles in the galactic halo annihilate to produce a two body final state which includes a photon. Such a signal is very distinctive from astrophysical backgrounds, and thus represents an incisive probe of theories of dark matter. We compare the recent null results of searches for gamma ray lines in the galactic center and other regions of the sky with the predictions of effective theories describing the interactions of dark matter particles with the Standard Model. We find that the null results of these searches provide constraints on the nature of dark matter interactions with ordinary matter which are complementary to constraints from other observables, and stronger than collider constraints in some cases.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2010

Interpreting Dark Matter Direct Detection Independently of the Local Velocity and Density Distribution

We demonstrate precisely what particle physics information can be extracted from a single direct detection observation of dark matter while making absolutely no assumptions about the local velocity distribution and local density of dark matter. Our central conclusions follow from a very simple observation: the velocity distribution of dark matter is positive definite, f(v) >= 0. We demonstrate the utility of this result in several ways. First, we show a falling deconvoluted recoil spectrum (deconvoluted of the nuclear form factor), such as from ordinary elastic scattering, can be "mocked up" by any mass of dark matter above a kinematic minimum. As an example, we show that dark matter much heavier than previously considered can explain the CoGeNT excess. Specifically, m_chi < m_Ge} can be in just as good agreement as light dark matter, while m_χ> m_Ge depends on understanding the sensitivity of Xenon to dark matter at very low recoil energies, E_R ~ 6 keVnr. Second, we show that any rise in the deconvoluted recoil spectrum represents distinct particle physics information that cannot be faked by an arbitrary f(v). As examples of resulting non-trivial particle physics, we show that inelastic dark matter and dark matter with a form factor can both yield such a rise.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2010

Particle Physics Implications for CoGeNT, DAMA, and Fermi

Recent results from the CoGeNT collaboration (as well as the annual modulation reported by DAMA/LIBRA) point toward dark matter with a light (5-10 GeV) mass and a relatively large elastic scattering cross section with nucleons (σ~ 10^{-40} cm^2). In order to possess this cross section, the dark matter must communicate with the Standard Model through mediating particles with small masses and/or large couplings. In this Letter, we explore with a model independent approach the particle physics scenarios that could potentially accommodate these signals. We also discuss how such models could produce the gamma rays from the Galactic Center observed in the data of the Fermi Gamma Ray Space Telescope. We find multiple particle physics scenarios in which each of these signals can be accounted for, and in which the dark matter can be produced thermally in the early Universe with an abundance equal to the measured cosmological density.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2010

Gamma Ray Lines from a Universal Extra Dimension

Indirect Dark Matter searches are based on the observation of secondary particles produced by the annihilation or decay of Dark Matter. Among them, gamma-rays are perhaps the most promising messengers, as they do not suffer deflection or absorption on Galactic scales, so their observation would directly reveal the position and the energy spectrum of the emitting source. Here, we study the detailed gamma-ray energy spectrum of Kaluza--Klein Dark Matter in a theory with 5 Universal Extra Dimensions. We focus in particular on the two body annihilation of Dark Matter particles into a photon and another particle, which produces monochromatic photons, resulting in a line in the energy spectrum of gamma rays. Previous calculations in the context of the five dimensional UED model have computed the line signal from annihilations into γγ, but we extend these results to include γZ and γH final states. We find that these spectral lines are subdominant compared to the predicted γγsignal, but they would be important as follow-up signals in the event of the observation of the γγline, in order to distinguish the 5d UED model from other theoretical scenarios.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2010

Physics searches at the LHC

With the LHC up and running, the focus of experimental and theoretical high energy physics will soon turn to an interpretation of LHC data in terms of the physics of electroweak symmetry breaking and the TeV scale. We present here a broad review of models for new TeV-scale physics and their LHC signatures. In addition, we discuss possible new physics signatures and describe how they can be linked to specific models of physics beyond the Standard Model. Finally, we illustrate how the LHC era could culminate in a detailed understanding of the underlying principles of TeV-scale physics.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2010

Maverick dark matter at colliders

Assuming that dark matter is a weakly interacting massive particle (WIMP) species X produced in the early Universe as a cold thermal relic, we study the collider signal of pp or ppbar -> XXbar + jets and its distinguishability from standard-model background processes associated with jets and missing energy. We assume that the WIMP is the sole particle related to dark matter within reach of the LHC--a "maverick" particle--and that it couples to quarks through a higher dimensional contact interaction. We simulate the WIMP final-state signal XXbar + jet and dominant standard-model (SM) background processes and find that the dark-matter production process results in higher energies for the colored final state partons than do the standard-model background processes, resulting in more QCD radiation and a higher jet multiplicity. As a consequence, the detectable signature of maverick dark matter is an excess over standard-model expectations of events consisting of large missing transverse energy, together with large leading jet transverse momentum and scalar sum of the transverse momenta of the jets. Existing Tevatron data and forthcoming LHC data can constrain (or discover!) maverick dark matter.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2010

Beautiful Mirrors at the LHC

We explore the "Beautiful Mirrors" model, which aims to explain the measured value of $A^b_{FB}$, discrepant at the $2.9σ$ level. This scenario introduces vector-like quarks which mix with the bottom, subtly affecting its coupling to the $Z$. The spectrum of the new particles consists of two bottom-like quarks and a charge -4/3 quark, all of which have electroweak interactions with the third generation. We explore the phenomenology and discovery reach for these new particles at the LHC, exploring single mirror quark production modes whose rates are proportional to the same mixing parameters which resolve the $A_{FB}^b$ anomaly. We find that for mirror quark masses $\lesssim 500 GeV, a 14 TeV LHC with 300 {\rm fb}^{-1}$ is required to reasonably establish the scenario and extract the relevant mixing parameters.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2010

Constraints on Light Majorana Dark Matter from Colliders

We explore model-independent collider constraints on light Majorana dark matter particles. We find that colliders provide a complementary probe of WIMPs to direct detection, and give the strongest current constraints on light DM particles. Collider experiments can access interactions not probed by direct detection searches, and outperform direct detection experiments by about an order of magnitude for certain operators in a large part of parameter space. For operators which are suppresssed at low momentum transfer, collider searches have already placed constraints on such operators limiting their use as an explanation for DAMA.

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