Josef Pradler (Johns Hopkins University):

Rare events underground: Dark Matter interpretation and new physics opportunities

Abstract:

A non-gravitational detection of Dark Matter (DM) may be imminent. Yet, the particle nature of DM remains essentially unknown. In this talk I will present theoretical scenarios of the hidden sector with a particular emphasis on their signatures in direct detection experiments. Existing evidence claims and anomalies in some of the experiments will be discussed and critically assessed. New, generic signal-features which may act as confidence builders for a DM discovery will be presented.

I will also argue that a diversification of the physics output in many existing rare event searches is possible. This will be exemplified by showing how DM multiplets can be probed in neutrino experiments and how, in turn, new forces in the neutrino sector can be tested in DM experiments. Cosmological aspects of these scenarios will be mentioned.

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