Searches with Mono-Leptons

Abstract: We explore the implications of the mono-lepton plus missing transverse energy signature at the LHC, and point out its significance on understanding how dark matter interacts with quarks, where the signature arises from dark matter pair production together with a leptonically decaying W boson radiated from the initial state quarks. We derive limits using the existing W' searches at the LHC, and find an interesting interference between the contributions from dark matter couplings to up-type and down-type quarks. Mono-leptons can actually furnish the strongest current bound on dark matter interactions for axial vector (spin-dependent) interactions and iso-spin violating couplings. Should a signal of dark matter production be observed, this process can also help disentangle the dark matter couplings to up- and down-type quarks.