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Free keywords:
High Energy Physics - Phenomenology, hep-ph, Astrophysics, High Energy Astrophysical Phenomena, astro-ph.HE,High Energy Physics - Experiment, hep-ex
Abstract:
We propose a test based on direct detection data that allows to determine if
the dark matter particle is different from its antiparticle. The test requires
the precise measurement of the dark matter spin-independent direct detection
cross sections off $\mathrm{three}$ different nuclei, and consists of
interpreting such signals in terms of self-conjugate (particle $=$
antiparticle) dark matter to see if such interpretation is consistent. If it is
not, the dark matter must be different from its antiparticle. We illustrate
this procedure for two sets of target nuclei, $\mathrm{\{Xe, Ar, Si\}}$ and
$\mathrm{\{Xe, Ar, Ge\}}$, identifying the regions of the parameter space where
it is particularly feasible. Our results indicate that future signals in direct
detection experiments, if sufficiently accurate, might be used to establish
that the dark matter particle is not its own antiparticle --a major step
towards the determination of the fundamental nature of the dark matter.
