Dark Matter and Exotic Neutrino Interactions in Direct Detection Searches

Abstract: We investigate the effect of new physics interacting with both Dark Matter (DM) and neutrinos at DM direct detection experiments. Working within a simplified model formalism, we consider vector and scalar mediators to determine the scattering of DM as well as the modified scattering of solar neutrinos off nuclei. Using existing data from LUX as well as the expected sensitivity of LUX-ZEPLIN and DARWIN, we set limits on the couplings of the mediators to quarks, neutrinos and DM. Given the current limits, we also assess the true DM discovery potential of direct detection experiments under the presence of exotic neutrino interactions. In the case of a vector mediator, we show that the DM discovery reach of future experiments is affected for DM masses $m_\chi \lesssim 10$ GeV or DM scattering cross sections $\sigma_\chi \lesssim 10^{-47}$ cm$^2$. On the other hand, a scalar mediator will not affect the discovery reach appreciably.